FORMER PINE VALLEY CAL-FIRE CAPTAIN PLEADS GUILTY TO MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS

July 28, 2011 (Pine Valley) - Former Cal Fire Captain Scott Mackellar pled guilty on July 26 to fraudulent appropriation by a public officer of public funds. A Cal Fire internal investigation found that Mackellar misappropriated $7099.36 worth of purchases on fuel and credit cards belonging to Cal Fire while employed in the community of Pine Valley.

Co-workers of the former employee noticed questionable purchases being made by Mackellar and notified their supervisors. After a month long internal investigation by Cal Fire, the report was forwarded to the San Diego County District Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution. The District Attorney subsequently filed charges, which led to Mackellar pleading guilty.

Mackellar was employed with Cal Fire for three years and five months. He previously worked for the Pine Valley Fire Protection District. Mackellar resigned from the Department on May 16th 2011, following the internal investigation.

The North County Times reports that MacKellar has made restitution for the funds misappropriated.

Cal Fire unit Chief Howard Windsor stated, “Any employee found guilty of inappropriate use of the public’s funds or violating the public’s trust will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I appreciate the cooperation between Cal Fire and the San Diego County District attorney’s Office to resolve this serious matter.”