Ex-EMS chief gets 6 1/2 years in prison for theft

He and seven others were accused of skimming nearly $500K from the private nonprofit agency in Ohio

November 18, 2014 12:40 PM

By Eric Lyttle
The Columbus Dispatch

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The former chief of a private emergency medical service was sentenced yesterday to 61/2 years in prison for theft and money-laundering.

Brian T. Hatfield, 39, of Philo, was one of seven members of Harrison Township EMS Inc. indicted in June after an investigation by the Ohio attorney general’s office. They were accused of skimming nearly $500,000 from the nonprofit company by selling equipment, ambulances and even the EMS building before going out of business in 2012, and spending the money on cars, TVs and trips.

Hatfield, who pleaded guilty to money-laundering and two felony counts of theft this month, also was ordered to pay $345,000 in restitution to the Harrison Township Fire Department by Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Kelly Cottrill.

Hatfield was chief of Harrison Township EMS from 2008 to 2012.

Three others also were sentenced yesterday: Hatfield’s parents, Robert D. Hatfield, 61, and Beverly A. Hatfield, 58, and his sister, Heather Price, 37, all of Philo.

Beverly A. Hatfield was sentenced to 60 days in jail, three years of community control and 50 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $6,512 in restitution.

Robert D. Hatfield was sentenced to 30 days in jail, three years of community control and 50 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $4,786 in restitution.

Heather N. Price was sentenced to 30 days in jail, three years of community control and 50 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $4,288 in restitution.

Two other former board members were sentenced last month.

Richard L. Bennett, of Duncan Falls, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, three years of community control and 50 hours of public service, and ordered to pay $5,125 in restitution.

Terry D. Randles of Philo was sentenced to 30 days in jail, three years of community control and 50 hours of public service, and ordered to pay $1,800 in restitution.

A seventh defendant, Mary E. Randles, is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1.

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