Meeting to discuss fire chief ’s employment

A special meeting has been scheduled to reconsider the “status” of the Greater Eagle Fire Protection District’s chief, who was arrested this month on charges he stole more than $120,000 from the city of Sterling while leading that city’s firefighting force.

Kurt Vogel remains — indefinitely — on administrative leave without pay, the district says.

The district says it worked with the accounting firm Marchetti & Weaver, LLC, to review department finances and found no discrepancies following an internal audit of controls and accounts.

Vogel’s employment will be discussed Sept. 1 at a special meeting of the district’s board of directors. An acting chief of the district has been named, and an interim chief is being sought.

Vogel’s wife, Hope, also faces charges in the case.

The 13th Judicial District attorney’s office in Logan County says it began investigating Vogel when Sterling’s city attorney and city manager contacted prosecutors this year. The city officials noted “certain bookkeeping irregularities and missing firefighting equipment” that had been discovered after Vogel left the Sterling Fire Department in April, the office said in a Friday news release.

District Attorney Brittny Lewton says the alleged theft happened between 2010 and 2015.

Specifically, authorities allege Vogel and his wife conspired to deposit funds slated for the Sterling Fire Department in bank accounts they controlled, according to an arrest warrant.

“Documents indicate Kurt Vogel requested reimbursement from the state for medical equipment that had not been ordered or paid for and used his home address and e-mail for contacts on the reimbursement requests,” according to the warrant.

When interviewed about the alleged theft, investigators say Vogel allegedly confessed to the allegations.