Former North Carolina Fire Chief, Assistant Charged With Insurance Fraud

The former fire chief in the Bladen County town of Clarkton, N.C., faces fraud charges.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that former Fire Chief Allen Robinson of Clarkton and former Assistant Chief Joshua Simmons of Bladenboro were charged earlier this week.

Sheriff’s Capt. Rodney Hester says the men are accused of cutting a water pump off a fire truck last year and reporting it stolen to collect insurance money. The pump is worth nearly $13,000.

The 35-year-old Robinson is charged with five counts of embezzlement and two counts each of insurance fraud and corporate malfeasance.

The 25-year-old Simmons is charged with conspiracy.

It was not clear if the men have attorneys.