Former Carroll County Volunteer Fire Chief And Wife Indicted For Theft

CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. – An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictments of William and Malisa Smith, who served respectively as the fire chief and treasurer for the Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department District 8-Mixie station.

Comptroller investigators determined the Smiths stole at least $30,150.86 from the volunteer fire department beginning in April 2014 until they resigned in March 2020.

The news release says they misappropriated the money from the department’s bank account and from a separate credit union account.

The release also says they made unauthorized debit card transactions, check disbursements, and cash withdrawals. These included purchases at various retail stores; personal lodging and travel expenses; payments for food and alcohol; fuel purchases; and payments for various personal services. Department members confirmed the transactions did not benefit the department.

Investigators interviewed the two in February and they admitted to making personal transactions with fire department funds.

The Carroll County Grand Jury indicted both William and Malisa Smith on one count of theft of property over $10,000, and one count of fraudulent use of a debit card over $10,000.