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Nevada County Fire Safe Council Leaders Indicted on Dozens of Felony Counts

Prosecutors say the six-year scheme drained taxpayer funds for fire prevention.

Overview

  • A criminal grand jury charged Jamie Jones and Christopher Wackerly with embezzlement, grand theft, money laundering, mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, perjury, and forgery.
  • Prosecutors say losses topped $100,000 and involved taxpayer funds meant for fire prevention, with an aggravated white-collar enhancement.
  • The indictment follows an almost two-year probe that began with questions about grant spending.
  • Wackerly is in county custody, and both defendants are expected to be arraigned this week.
  • The nonprofit calls the grand jury report 'deeply flawed' as the district attorney notes the indictment is not a conviction and the defendants are presumed innocent.