CRANDALL, Texas – The Crandall Fire Department (CFD) recently settled its remaining fraudulent loan with American National Bank in Crandall, Texas, which was allegedly taken without the departments knowledge by one of its own, according to CFD Chief Allen Cousins.
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The bank and the department settled on an amount a little less than the total loan amount of $75,000, Cousins told inForney.com, which was paid on June 17, 2014. “Now that's one less thing we have to worry about,” he said. “It's time to move forward and start focusing on ways to improve our department.”
In March, the department was forced to sell two firetrucks and other firefighter equipment to settle the first of the two fraudulent loans. The City of Crandall has since purchased a new city engine for the department which has an expected delivery date in September 2014.
The department also made good on donations, for West, Texas, which went missing last year after the department's bank account was nearly emptied. The donation to West, Texas, was a top priority while the department was raising funds. In May, the department traveled to West, Texas, and presented the West Fire Department with a $16,000 check.
“It was a great feeling knowing we had received enough money to give the West Fire Department their money we raised for them over a year ago,” said Cousins. “They were on top of our list.”
Last year, the Crandall Fire Department's treasurer, secretary, and chaplain Denny Mackey was arrested and later released on bond from the Kaufman County Jail for alleged abuse of official capacity, a 2nd degree felony, on suspicion of misappropriating between $100,000 and $200,000. Mackey is accused of taking out two loans totaling approximately $75,000 each by using department equipment as collateral. The Texas Rangers are continuing their investigation into Mackey and will turn the case over to the District Attorney's Office for presentation to a grand jury.
Through it all, the department is grateful for the outpouring of support. “We are all so thankful for all the support we have had throughout the entire county,” said Cousins.
The Crandall Fire Department will have a fish fry benefit to celebrate the volunteer department's 60th anniversary on July 26, 2014, at the Crandall public parking lot from 5 to 9 p.m. Brookshire Brothers and Tony Chachere of Tony Creole Seasonings will host the fish fry. All proceeds will benefit the Crandall Fire Department.
In March, the department was forced to sell two firetrucks and other firefighter equipment to settle the first of the two fraudulent loans. The City of Crandall has since purchased a new city engine for the department which has an expected delivery date in September 2014.
The department also made good on donations, for West, Texas, which went missing last year after the department's bank account was nearly emptied. The donation to West, Texas, was a top priority while the department was raising funds. In May, the department traveled to West, Texas, and presented the West Fire Department with a $16,000 check.
“It was a great feeling knowing we had received enough money to give the West Fire Department their money we raised for them over a year ago,” said Cousins. “They were on top of our list.”
Last year, the Crandall Fire Department's treasurer, secretary, and chaplain Denny Mackey was arrested and later released on bond from the Kaufman County Jail for alleged abuse of official capacity, a 2nd degree felony, on suspicion of misappropriating between $100,000 and $200,000. Mackey is accused of taking out two loans totaling approximately $75,000 each by using department equipment as collateral. The Texas Rangers are continuing their investigation into Mackey and will turn the case over to the District Attorney's Office for presentation to a grand jury.
Through it all, the department is grateful for the outpouring of support. “We are all so thankful for all the support we have had throughout the entire county,” said Cousins.
The Crandall Fire Department will have a fish fry benefit to celebrate the volunteer department's 60th anniversary on July 26, 2014, at the Crandall public parking lot from 5 to 9 p.m. Brookshire Brothers and Tony Chachere of Tony Creole Seasonings will host the fish fry. All proceeds will benefit the Crandall Fire Department.