Leaders of Nevada County wildfire org face felony charges including embezzlement
Two directors of Nevada County nonprofit dedicated to reducing wildfire risk have been indicted on more than two dozen felony counts, according to the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office.
The indictment accuses the leaders of the Fire Safe Council of embezzlement, grand theft, money laundering, mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, perjury, forgery and related offenses. It also includes special allegations that the conduct involved a pattern of related felony activity resulting in losses exceeding $100,000, according to the district attorney’s office.
In a social media post, the office said the indictment follows a nearly two-year investigation into Executive Director Jamie Jones and Director of Field Operations Christopher Wackerly.
Officials said the grand jury found probable cause to believe that, over a six-year period, the pair engaged in a significant misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
Jones and Wackerly did not immediately respond to emails and calls seeking comment.
“These funds were entrusted to the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County for critical fire prevention and community safety purposes, as well as other publicly funded programs and services,” the Facebook post said. “Additional alleged conduct includes misuse of public benefits, fraudulent representations to government agencies, and financial transactions alleged to conceal proceeds of criminal activity.”
District Attorney Jesse Wilson District Attorney Jesse Wilson emphasized that the charges are allegations.
“The evidence presented to the grand jury indicates a flagrant misuse of taxpayer funds for personal enrichment and the use of organizational accounts as if they were personal accounts,” he said. “That said, this is an indictment, not a conviction, and the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence as this case moves forward in court.”
The district attorney’s office said both defendants are expected to be arraigned in the coming week.
