RISING SUN, Ind. — An EMT was sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling $106,000 from Aurora Emergency Rescue in Indiana.
Craig Whitham, 42, was given access to the department’s accounts when he was appointed treasurer.
Starting in January 2015, he stole tens of thousands by forging additional paychecks and withdrawing organizational funds from ATMs. Nearly all of the money was gambled away by Whitham at local casinos, reports WLWT 5 News.
Whitham vanished Feb. 22 shortly after being questioned about the missing funds, leading authorities on a monthlong search before surrendering to police.
Following the theft, Aurora Emergency Rescue is struggling financially. The non-profit has been kept afloat by local businesses and private donations.
AER President John Opp, who called Whitham a “close friend” of the department, describes conflicting emotions within the team.
“On one hand of the emotional spectrum, they’re afraid for him. You know, ‘Where is he?’ They’re scared for him,” Opp said. “And the other hand, you want to just grab him and say ‘Why’d you do this?’”
Whitham is to begin repaying the stolen funds in prison, plus the cost of an organizational audit, and will be on probation for two years following his release.
He expressed regret for his crimes in a handwritten letter submitted to the court.