YUCCA – It’s former Chief apologized Friday for embezzling at least $40,000 from the Yucca Fire District. Matthew Young, 40, appeared for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to theft.
“I stand before you today your Honor a humble man with a lot of remorse and guilt in his heart,” Young told Judge Doug Camacho. He said he has begun a new business venture and expressed hope that he can reimburse the district for its loss as quickly as possible.
Defense attorney Virginia Crews said Young lacked experience and training to serve as Chief when he was promoted to administer a troubled fire district. “He inherited a fire department with a lot of issues,” Crews said.
Crews told the Court that a small sum of money was pilfered at first but that the district loss snowballed as Crews kept stealing money over a seven month period ending last May. Judge Camacho and prosecutor James Schoppmann agreed with Crews’ assertion that Young should be credited for self-reporting the embezzlement and cooperating with law enforcement.
“That does show a lot of honor on the defendant’s behalf,” Camacho said.
Schoppmann said the embezzlement had a strong negative impact for the tiny fire district that is contemplating cutbacks to compensate for the loss. “He stole money that wasn’t his. Public money. It was a violation of public trust,” Schoppmann said.
Camacho imposed a ten day jail sentence and ordered Young to pay at least $40,000 in restitution. A March 31 hearing was scheduled to determine the specific amount Young must reimburse the district.
Young has already paid the district $2,000 and forfeited weapons and a boat that he purchased with the stolen funds. Young was placed on probation for three years.
- Dave Hawkins
