Cornelia is standing by its Assistant Fire Chief following his recent arrest in Franklin County. Shane Bentley, 41, of Lavonia, turned himself in to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on June 1. He’s charged with four counts of felony theft by taking.
The arrest was the result of an investigation concerning unauthorized purchases made with Lavonia city funds, according to the GBI. Bentley, who served as the assistant chief of the Lavonia Volunteer Fire Department, purchased several equipment items that were not for the use of the Volunteer Fire Department.
The Lavonia Police Department requested the Athens GBI office to investigate the case after city officials discovered unusually high expenditures by the Lavonia Volunteer Fire Department. Those expenditures took place over the course of several months.
Felony theft in Georgia involves property valued at more than $500. The crime is punishable as a felony, or as a misdemeanor, at the judge’s discretion.
Officials have not said how much money Bentley is accused of taking or over what specific timeframe. He’s out of jail on a $16,000 bond.
Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson told reporters that since the case does not involve the City of Cornelia “No action is being considered at this time.”
The Lavonia Fire Department is an ISO class 4 department with one station staffed with all volunteers, according to the Lavonia city website. The command staff is comprised of a Chief, Assistant Chief, two Captains, two Lieutenants, a Chaplain, and 25 Firefighters.
