Former Crandall Fire Department Treasurer Arrested on Federal Bank Fraud Charges | criminality

CRANDALL, Texas (United States Attorney’s Office, North Texas District) – A Kaufman County man who allegedly took out fraudulent loans on behalf of his volunteer firefighters has been charged with making a false statement to a bank, Acting US District Attorney for the North Texas District, Chad E. Meacham, said .

Denny C. Mackey, the 68-year-old former treasurer of the Crandall Volunteer Fire Department, was arrested Monday at his Richardson residence. He made his first appearance in federal court this morning.

According to the indictment, between May 2011 and September 2013, Mr. Mackey allegedly obtained tens of thousands of dollars from financial institutions by soliciting unauthorized loans supposedly to be used for purposes of arson, unbeknownst to him. of the management of the fire department.

For example, as alleged in the indictment, Mr. Mackey fraudulently requested a loan of $ 75,000 allegedly for the expenses of the fire department in August 2013. He falsely stated to the bank that the money would be used to fund the salary of a full-time fire department. employee – knowing full well that the volunteer force did not employ full-time staff.

Shortly after the bank made the loan, which he hid from the fire department, Mr Mackey reportedly withdrew over $ 50,000 – some in cash and the rest by writing checks from the fire department to a company he controlled.

The following year, as local media reported, the fire chief appeared before Crandall City Council to report that the fire department had been forced to sell some of its trucks and equipment in order to repay the loan. fraudulent.

An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct and not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Mackey is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.

If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

The Dallas field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Deputy US prosecutors Marcus Busch and Fabio Leonardi are continuing the case.