SLED: Upstate Fire Department Under Criminal Investigation
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Published: November 21, 2008
Updated: November 21, 2008
It’s a fire district under siege.
Chief David Culbreth and the Board Of Commissioners are facing a criminal investigation.
The State Law Enforcement division is probing the department’s finances and practices.
SLED says it received a complaint in August regarding allegations of breach of trust and embezzlement.
It was the subject of a heated board meeting Tuesday, and we asked the chief if criminal activity had or was taking place.
“There’s no money missing at all,“ he said.
Firefighters have told NewsChannel 7 their retirement funds were missing money for months.
The chief blamed that and the SLED investigation on bad bookkeeping, and says he is making accounting improvements to correct things.
“I haven’t been chief but 18 months, it just takes a long time to reorganize what’s going on,“ said Chief Culbreth.
But some within and outside the department are skeptical.
Jeff Knight told us, “The biggest thing everybody is upset about is the reputation of the fire department.“
Knight has family in the department. He is also the brother of former chief Danny Knight. At tuesday’s meeting bad blood was evident between the Knight family and Chief Culbreth. But knight vows, this isn’t a vendetta. He says firefighters are truly concerned.
“There’s nothing personal at all, the only thing that concerns me is the name of that fire department and the taxpayers of this community.“
No current firefighters would talk on camera about what they see going on, because they claim, the chief has threatened to fire anyone who talks about the investigation.
Chief Culbreth told us he is not going to talk about this case anymore. He says he is tired of the fighting back and forth. He says he is confident the SLED investigation will show nothing improper.
SLED says it is close to completing the investigation.
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Reader Reactions
I am not a firefighter but I’ve been around wffd most of my life. I think that the right thing should be done about the situation. Although, we should not get caught up on this and forget the jobs that must be done. This has been going on for quite some time, and I’m just quite frankly sick of hearing about it. If people think that what is going on is wrong, then stand up! Quit talking about what should be done, get up and do it! Everyone is so busy worrying about politics that they’ve forgot the reason they became firefighters. And to the administration, using fear and intimidation to keep your employees quiet is wrong. You should hear them out and everyone should just get along. If something should be done then do it! and if not then get to work!
4pwr, Amen brother tell it like it is! Some of these ladies on here “JUST THINK” they know what they are talking about. but we know the real truth. They have to get on here and talk about hear - say instead of their husbands having the guts to speak for themselves. It’s like a hen session.
O’Kay ladies, to answer some of your remarks… (st54)and others, in response to your statement of Culbreth being at the station late at night, if you really want to know the truth I’ll tell you. Culbreth was hired to be an Administrator, but he didn’t want to work the hours of eight to five of which are normal business hours, instead, he wanted to be able to continue to operate his electrical business. You may see him there during the day on occasion, but more often not. To make up his time, so he can say he worked a fourty hour week he will either come in at night or may even work a twenty-four hour shift on the ambulance. Thats better than banking hours, he gets to set his own hours to suit his personal life. So, to take up the slack for him not being there during normal business hours, he demotes the three Batillion Chiefs to Asst. Chiefs and hires a NEW “DEPUTY CHIEF” to be the Administrator. Well soon to follow, the Depty Chief was allowed to start working his own fourty hour schedule. If he comes in at all during the week, he will leave shortly after lunch so that he may drive the fire dept. issued car to Easley to pick up his daughter from school, after which, he may or may not return to work. So, to make up for the deficencies in his hours he may work a late shift or a twenty four hour shift on the weekend. Now who is the Administrator in charge? Well, I guess the book keeper thinks she is, or should I say the lack of a book keeper as well. According to the information stated in the letter from the CPA the book keeper does not have the knowledge or expertise of knowing how to do her job. She can not get information to the CPA in a timely manner and what she does send them at times is not correct. She couldn’t perform a simple task of getting a child support check to the Clerk of Courts Office in a timely manner. In order to take care of this situation the CPA now does it for her. Her excuse is that she has too large of a work load and she can not handle it. So to assist her, another person had to be hired. Where does it stop, I ask? If any or all of these Administrative people can not do their job in a perficient manner and work the normal hours of which one should conduct business then the Board of Comissioners should find someone who can. As for the Comissioners, they need to do their job of which they were appointed to do and be responsible and accountable to the tax paying citizens of the community. Now to top it all off the outstanding reprutation of the fire department that all of the Chiefs before Culbreth and the fine group of firefighters since 1958 have worked so hard to maintain has to get dragged to the media, not to mention SLED.
Thank you, ssk728; I too know about the “duct taped” gear and your right they do not know the facts. Furthermore, the current administration may want better equipment as all departments do however as with any business or home such things have to be budgeted correctly. As I hear constantly from the current chief “I have a plan” only he never lays this ghostly plan out for anyone. His “plan” is in his head and changes on a daily basis. He and his administrative staff members have 2 sets of rules; one for them and one for the men/women who face the community everyday. The ff/ems employees are told they have to bring food for meals (trucks are not to leave the station except for calls)due to fuel not being budgeted for the year however the chief and deputy chief not only go out for meals in their issued vehicles but they charge their meals on WFFD credit cards, they also drive their cars to other jobs unrelated to WFFD but do not come back after hours to assist on calls at our station. As well as the deputy chief leaving work to pick his child up from school in Easley and drive back to WFFD on WFFD fuel. The next you see the chief at Lowes ask to see in the back of the truck and then ask yourself when the firemen became electrians. Also the ff/ems employees are told they can be worked up to 212 hours a month on their time off WITHOUT pay and there is nothing they can do about it but the admin staff gets paid everytime they walk in the door (all 4 of them). The previous chief would at least talk to his men when there was a problem however the current chief and deputy chief boast to others about making the men “walk the chalk line” and has most all of the employees in fear for their jobs. They have taken all power away from the commissioners as far as the employees go in other words they are the hiring, firing and grevence board, in short they are on a power platform. Also, as far as late/unpaid bills; the same person has been in charge of paying the bills under both chiefs; the next time you see one of our dedicated commissioners (lol) ask them about all the late charges and penelties that have to constantly be paid because she can’t do the and then ask the commissioners why she still has a job. Also why does WFFD have 2 secrataries and and accounting firm handling the finances when larger departments have 1 secratary doing it all. (could part of the budget problem be due to being heavy at the top) And as far as David being at the station at night; that would be because he is not there during normal business hours so that he can avoid the public. If David cares so much about the public why does he constantly brag about “putting liens on peoples estates after they pass away” he comments on the fact that he is going to get every dime he can out of them. Now this is just a drop in the bucket of current issues and not even one of the issues SLED is looking at, but if you want to know about the morale talk to the men, not just David’s little circle of “new hires”. I appreciate those who want to support the ff/ems, but we are not the ones on trial here the admin staff is the ones with the “cookie jar”. This is not from a ff’s wife, friend, family or tax payer. This is from somebody who lives it for 24 hours every third day; so until you walk a mile in our shoes don’t be so quick to judge. One last thing, there may be other ff jobs out there but for those of us who have put many years in at this one it would be slap in the face for us to go back to a starting pay level someplace else just to satisfy a greedy man!
Just so no one is confused…I will continue to support Chief Culbreth and the men and women of WFFD, now and after this investigation clears the dept. and Chief Culbreth of ANY wrong doing.
To thirty3 and all of the others standing behind WFFD, thanks for your support!!! WFFD does have superb men and women serving out of ALL 3 of their stations. These folks go to work everyday with one goal…to serve and protect the citizens of their fire district.
This is in response to ssk728. There are many reasons why people choose to leave their jobs. True, some of the “7” may not have liked/agreed with Chief Culbreth. Which is their right. That to me is a mute issue. We are talking about GROWN MEN, who have the right to work or not work wherever they please. But, on the flip side of that, some of the FF who left due to the previous chief are interested in coming back to WFFD to serve side by side with Chief Culbreth. I’m sure you could ask employees from every walk of employment and get mixed response on the opinions of his/her supervisor. That’s just life. It shouldn’t be a direct reflection on ANY supervisors true person. Those same opinions could be negative on Mon. and positive on Tues. However, the true troopers are those who can stick it out thru thick and thin. It’s kind of like wedding vows…you have to take the good with the bad. Some people just don’t like change.
In my original post, I choose to try not get into the name game or discuss specific information. You’re right there is a reason SLED is there, but let’s NOT forget that Chief Culbreth is INNOCENT until proven guilty. He has stated that he inherited this MESS and did ask for help to dig out of it when he took over the position as chief at WFFD. So, there WAS issues with the dept. before he had ever really had a chance to get his feet wet. Ultimately, those of us who support Chief Culbreth are going to stand behind him until the dept and his name are cleared. However, you seem to be up on all the inside details. Perhaps that is half of the reason behind the investigation to begin with. Their is a reason that FDs have chiefs. This reminds me of the old saying…Too many chiefs and not enough indians. But, this is the reverse…there are far too many indians running with information they view as gospel and not enough chiefs.
As far as the duct taped turnout gear goes…there is NOOOOOOOOOO excuse for that. The $$ that you speak of being embezzeled, I don’t truly have an opinion on. I choose not to be persuaded by half truths or hear say. I and everyone else will know the truth after the end of the investigation. At that point and ONLY then will the REAL truth prevail. Until then, that is why I will continue to stand behind Chief Culbreth and the guys at WFFD. Thanks again Chief Culbreth for the dedication to the dept and the job you do without complaint. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! Guys at WFFD….keep your heads up and continue to excel at the job you go…GO WILD WEST!!!!
In response to st54, my husband worked there for years under supervision of the previous and present chief. The morale has never been so low since this “so called chief” has been in this position. If your husband does work there, then are you aware of how many of the firemen has quit since David Culbreth has been in the chief position? I can’t believe you said to “Keep up the good work”. So you think going well over budget, giving good reason for SLED to investigate, and make 7 firemen leave since taking this postion is doing a good job? You can ask any other firemen in this county and they will tell you the administration/commission board is a joke. For the duct tape on turn out gear, my husband has told me the story about that. You really need to get your facts straight before speculating. David Culbreth is not being attacked for “only wanting to return your husband home to you and your child”. He is being investigated for possible embezzlement and mismanaging tax payers money. That is 2 different things.
There are going to be SPEED BUMPS every where you go! Everyone is always ready to jump on people when they do wrong! Where are the helping hands? The ones that are complaining, I’m sure you will be the 1st and probably the only one to vouch that you are perfect! Also, that you have NEVER had a plan that didn’t work! There is a risk in doing “nothing” (previous management, maybe), as well as a risk in doing “something” (current management). There are 3 kinds of people 1)those who make things happen 2) those who watch things happen 3) (lol) and those who ask
“What Happened????“
You figure out which is previous and current management! THE DIFFICULTY LIES NOT SO MUCH IN DEVELOPING NEW IDEAS AS IN ESCAPING FROM OLD ONES!!!! When fire is cried and danger is neigh, “God and the Firemen” is the people’s cry; But when ‘tis is out and all things righted, God is forgotten and the Firemen slighted. What would be the harm of the COMMUNITY coming together and SUPPORTING this hard working Fire and EMS Dept. in the time of need? I think this is a job where most work 24 hours a day and usually a part time job on their 2 days they are off, compaired to us who work 8 hours a day and think we have it rough, lol. Shoot when most of us stand back and watch a fire in amazement and run or get sick when we see someone else vomiting. I’m willing to START showing support,something that I have never really given any thought to before! I’ve never needed an ambulance or a fire truck, thank God. Every *1* of those Members DESERVE this and much more. Like everyone who has responded, this is my opinion. Westview-Fairforest Fire and EMS Department hold you head up high and keep up the Good Service that I hear you do so well!
Thank you st54 and lacy! You took the words out of my mouth.
And no I do not have a part in this - I just have been around this area and know a lot about this departent and how all this pointing fingers works! Like someone said - everytime you point a finger - you have 3 pointing back at you.
I have nothing involved here - I have been helped by these men in the past and just know they are a great group! They do not need any more of this BS - the community needs to stand behind the ones that will be coming to save their lives when they need them - because they for sure will need 911 at some point - and they will get the best care with them. I personally would hate to know I wrote something bad about a department and then know they were the ones coming to save my life - I would feel like a heel - save my life - but I condemned you online!!
Keep your heads held high WFFD - the real truth always comes out in the end - and it will not be anything against the current administration!Duct taped gear - what’s that about - who would let their men go fight a fire with that hazard, and the many others - not the current Chief. Keep up the good work guys!
As the wife of a FF at WFFD, I would just like to say….let’s not loss sight of what’s important. The well being and safety of our fireman is what is important here. As Chief Culbreth will admit, I’m sure, his TOP priority is the safety and properly functioning equipment for his FF(lets NOT forget the Charleston catastrophy) Let’s stop and think…how much is turn out gear, fire trucks, air packs, computers, hoses, health ins, etc. If he in fact, (which I believe he did) inherited these inadequate products/issues, then WHY is he being attacked for ONLY wanting to return my husband and father of our child home to us safely and uninjured. My husband has/does work at other depts within Sptbg. County. I’ve NEVER felt more at ease with him being on the job, than I have since he has been at WFFD under Chief Culbreth’s administration. Chief Culbreth goes above and beyond his call of duty. Many, many times I have spoken to my husband late at night and realized that Chief Culbreth is at one of the stations working. This may be due to a FF’s health, family circumstances, or JUST to be extra help if the call volume is high. In my 13 yrs of being involved with various depts across the county, I’ve NEVER saw a Chief more involved with the well being of his FFs. As far as the low morale at the dept…...WHAT?????????? I’m a firm believer of not putting words into other peoples mouths, but I encourage the public to ask the WFFD fireman about this morale issue. Of course there are those who would spew negativity, but you will have one or two of those in every group. For those people(you know who you are) I, for one, welcome you to leave. Go be a “prize” for another dept.(contrary to a previous statement by “someone”, there ARE other FF jobs in this county available) In closing, a quick comment…Chief Culbreth keep your head up. As the wife of one of your men…I APPLAUD YOU FOR THE JOB YOU’VE DONE & ARE DOING!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MINE AS A WIFE OF A FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC. I may see things a bit different, since I am the one who kisses my FF/Medic good bye every morning, hoping and praying that he comes home to me and our child the next morning. I have praised him from the day that I met him, for the job he CHO
OSES to do. We are not members of WFFD. Our department has had our share of problems too! Why does everyone want to point fingers when they don’t know all the details? I guess it’s our nature. My Grandmother always says be careful pointing that finger because 3 are pointing back at you. Jumping to conclusions is not always a good thing to do! And we all know that but we do it anyway. It seems that whenever a fire dept. looses their chief, there is always rumors of wrong doings, concerning money or management or something! ==== WFFD is a well known Fire and EMS Dept. It has grown in leaps and bounds! Some of the comments that have been made, sound like you are a member of the dept. and an unhappy member! You need to move on, because the only one you are bringing down to your level is anyone else who is unhappy! The men who have a good positive outlook on their job are just stepping over you and ignoring you! ==== Sounds like some people just wouldn’t be happy with a New Fire Chief, no matter who it would have been! Or could it be someone who is still scorned by the loss of the previous chief and just needs to let go, so that he can live a normal life without it haunting him all the time! ==== Not knowing all the details, it seems that the new chief has discovered things that need changed and/or updated. Things can surface that need attention when a new person is put into a position, I know it did at my husbands dept. I hope the Commission Board is giving him support in making these changes and the safety updates that were mentioned. FF/EMT’s are very close and need to support one another within the dept. ==== Taxpayers please support your local fire dept. when things are going good, don’t wait until fingers are being pointed! Support can be done in many different ways, just call or stop by and ask! ==== Firefighters love to show their fire trucks and ambulance off to all the kids, as well as where they eat and sleep! Most depts. that I know of, have an open door, you are welcome anytime without an appointment! ==== I must have missed something though, what would the new chief be jealous about, it seems it could be the other way around. **** Your Brother Firefighter/Medic and I wish WFFD the best in all the new changes and growth they are experiencing! Please support each other!
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