Fire 12 releases report

Matt Baide | Jun 22, 20230

After multiple delays, Fire District 12 commissioners have released a report on the results of an internal investigation.

The investigation, posted last week on the district’s website, was conducted in response to an accountability audit and fraud investigation reports released by the state Auditor’s Office in September 2022.

Attorney Thomas G. Burke compiled a 26-page report. The summary of the report says Fire 12’s “consistent failure to provide supporting data is an ‘unwilling or unable’ scenario, but it is a clear frustration for the SAO and for me.” Burke’s summary goes on to question how the auditor’s office conducted the investigation and how it broadcast its report.

“The actions and lack of follow-up by the SAO do not promote an objective inquiry and reasonable fact-finding for the allegations against the district,” the report states. “In this small-town atmosphere, they only inflamed personal animosities and made an objective investigation more difficult.”

The Journal emailed Burke questions about his report, but learned he died last month. Brian Snure, the district’s attorney, responded to the questions and provided the documentation used by Burke in his report, but the Journal did not have time to review the documents before print deadline.

State Auditor Pat McCarthy responded to the internal investigation report.

“As independent auditors, we stand by our work,” McCarthy said in an emailed statement to the Journal. “And, as I said when we presented our findings to the district and the public, financial and other safeguards are sorely needed in this fire district. The community expects transparency and accountability in government operations.”

Vacancy filled

The commissioners had a regular meeting Tuesday in Matlock and appointed Cinda Compton to a commission position vacated after John Pais resigned June 9.

Commissioner Albert “Buck” Wilder said there were two applicants.

Compton filed to run for Commissioner Wilder’s seat once it is vacated in January, and Wilder decided not to run for re-election. Along with Compton, two other candidates are running for Wilder’s seat. With the primary vote Aug. 1, it is unclear if she is able to run for Wilder’s seat now that she has been appointed to Pais’ vacated position.