FC Rescue Squad president faces arrest for theft
In April, investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about the Franklin County Rescue Squad having a large sum of money missing. After a review of bank records and receipts, authorities arrested rescue squad president John W.M. “Pete” Brackin Jr., for theft of property, first degree.
The complaint had been made due to an audit of funds. According to documents obtained by investigators, Brackin had been using the funds to purchase items that were not intended for use by the rescue squad.
According to the FCSO, Brackin had been using the funds to purchase food from restaurants, prescription medications and a variety of personal items, including men’s socks, dog food, cat food, apple pies, a shower head, a PlayStation 4 game, a back massager, eggs, peanut butter crackers, internet service at his residence, cell phone service for his and his wife’s phones and more.
On some of the transactions, Brackin would get cash back, according to the investigation. Multiple times he withdrew cash from an ATM, according to the report.
In the past three years, Brackin allegedly used more than $13,000 for personal items. The total amount missing from the last 36 months is $13,019.39 of taxpayer money.
According to the FCSO, Brackin was questioned and admitted to using the funds to purchase the items. He was not able to produce receipts for any of the transactions.
Brackin has served as the president of the rescue squad for several years.
According to documents obtained by FCSO investigators, the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads does not recognize the Franklin County Rescue Squad as a member. Franklin County EMA does not recognize the Franklin County Rescue Squad as being an active rescue squad.
Brackin and the Franklin County Rescue Squad have been receiving money from tobacco tax, the Franklin County Commission and private donations for years.
According to the FCSO, when Brackin was asked to produce records for calls for service, he denied having any.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office wants the public to know that the Franklin County Rescue Squad periodically asks the public for donations. The rescue squad is not in good standing with state or local officials to operate as a rescue squad. The Franklin County Rescue Squad has been removed from receiving any more taxpayer funds.
More charges for Brackin could be added later.
