Treasurer accused of embezzling money from volunteer fire department

JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) – A woman is accused of embezzling money from her volunteer fire department.

Sandra Statham was the former treasurer of the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department in Pike County, which is north of Baton Rouge.

According to State Auditor Shad White, she was responsible for the fire department’s bank account.

She allegedly signed checks, worth $35,772.23, made payable to herself.

She was able to hide the illegal checks from the fire department’s board members from January 2013 to June 2018, according to the state auditor.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.