Former Marshall County volunteer fire department bookkeeper charged with theft

A former bookkeeper for a volunteer fire department in Marshall County has been charged with theft.

Kentucky State Police said they received a call from the board members of the Fairdealing-Olive Volunteer Fire Department on December 1, 2022 regarding suspicions of theft within the department.

During their investigation detectives learned that 48-year-old Stacey C. Cornwell of Benton was hired by the fire department in August 2018 to serve as bookkeeper. Cornwell was responsible for managing the department's finances. 

Detectives said Cornwell had access to the department's checking and savings accounts, and possessed a department-issued credit card. Soon after being hired, Cornwell allegedly began using funds from the checking and savings accounts for personal use. It was also discovered that Cornwell utilized the department credit card to make purchases not related to the day-to-day operations of the department. 

The total amount of misappropriated funds attributed to Cornwell is still undetermined at this time. 

Cornwell was removed from her position as bookkeeper in November 2022. 

After an indictment by a Marshall County Grand Jury Cornwell was arrested and charged by KSP with one count of theft by unlawful taking and one count of fraudulent use of a credit card.