How UC Davis embezzlement case unfolded and what’s next for accused ex-fire chief
An investigation into an alleged improper relationship at the UC Davis Fire Department led authorities to uncover numerous fraudulently submitted timesheets, $42,000 in unearned overtime pay for an executive assistant and what a prosecutor called evidence of “creepy behavior” by the fire chief with two female subordinate employees.
That’s how a criminal investigation unfolded in an embezzlement case at the University of California, Davis.
Meagan Emily McFadden, the accused executive assistant, was convicted on Thursday after pleading no contest to a felony charge of misappropriating public money. McFadden, 35, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 19 in Yolo Superior Court.
The criminal case against her former boss, Nathan Trauernicht, continues as he still faces a felony charge of misappropriating public funds as the UC Davis fire chief. Trauernicht, 46, is accused of approving McFadden’s fraudulent timesheets while seeking a romantic relationship with her.
Trauernicht’s criminal case is scheduled to return to court March 5 to determine when to schedule the start of his trial.
Here’s where the case stands and the backgrounds of those involved.
Fire chief’s time at UC Davis
UC Davis officials have said Trauernicht began working for the UC Davis Fire Department in April 2008 and resigned Oct. 1, 2024. McFadden worked as an executive assistant at the department from Nov. 18, 2019, through Jan. 30, 2024.
The UC Davis Fire Department serves a campus community with more than 40,000 people.
Trauernicht at UC Davis had a base salary of $214,489 in 2022, and his total of pay and benefits that year was $240,663, according to compensation records provided by the state to Transparent California. The following year his base salary was $224,240 and his total of pay and benefits was $241,247.
Transparent California records show McFadden had a base salary of $57,757 in 2022, and her total of pay and benefits that year was $96,316. The following year her base salary was $61,482 and her total of pay and benefits was $88,939.
Trauernicht had been UC Davis fire chief for nearly 13 years until he resigned eight months after McFadden left the Fire Department.
Alleged ‘creepy behavior’
In December 2024, a Yolo County criminal grand jury indicted Trauernicht on the misappropriating public funds charge. He has pleaded not guilty to that charge.
Several months after his indictment, Trauernicht asked the court to suspend his criminal case and place him in a mental health diversion program. In October, attorneys argued in court over the former fire chief’s request.
Deputy District Attorney Frits Van der Hoek told the judge that Trauernicht displayed “creepy behavior” in the workplace and approved numerous fraudulent paychecks for McFadden, an employee with whom he was seeking a romantic relationship.
The prosecutor argued Trauernicht, when he failed to form a romantic relationship with McFadden, formed a romantic relationship with another female subordinate. Van der Hoek said that relationship was ultimately exposed, and a search of his phone revealed Trauernicht’s sexual behavior with the other female employee at the fire station.
Steven Plesser, Trauernicht’s attorney, argued that the prosecutor was presenting his theory of a perceived motive behind the alleged embezzlement. He said the prosecutor’s theory is largely based on testimony from McFadden, even though she was accused of perjury.
Plesser said Trauernicht suffered from multiple diagnosed disorders that contributed to the alleged offense, including post-traumatic stress disorder that went “largely unrecognized and untreated” until 2024.
The prosecutor said Trauernicht was claiming to suffer from PTSD and anxiety disorder that caused him to have a lapse in his duties while on the job. Van der Hoek told the judge that Trauernicht did not have a momentary distraction; he approved numerous fraudulent timesheets for McFadden.
Judge rejects diversion program
In November, Yolo Superior Court Judge Paul Richardson rejected Trauernicht’s request to suspend his case and admit him into a mental health diversion program. Had the judge granted the request, Trauernicht’s felony charge would’ve been dismissed after his successful completion of the diversion program.
Richardson said in court that the evidence presented showed that Trauernicht on about 20 different occasions approved timesheets that included a total of $42,000 in unearned overtime pay for McFadden.
Plea deal for former assistant
McFadden agreed to a plea deal with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. As part of the deal with McFadden, prosecutors dropped a felony charge of embezzlement by a clerk or agent, along with an enhancement that alleged aggravating circumstances.
The District Attorney’s Office had also charged McFadden with perjury. In the criminal complaint filed against McFadden, prosecutors alleged she took an oath to testify truthfully for the grand jury and provided statements she “knew to be false.” Prosecutors also dropped the perjury charge as part of the plea deal with McFadden.
