Coatesville man charged with stealing from his fire company

The treasurer of a Chester County fire company was charged Wednesday with stealing $300,000 from the station by forging checks, stealing from the firehouse safe, and manipulating bingo records.

Hower Smith III, 57, allegedly stole the money from Coatesville's Westwood Fire Company between 2006 and 2012. Smith, who lives in Coatesville and was a member of the company for about 40 years, was removed from his post and came under investigation in 2012 after he charged $2,000 to a fire company credit card while on vacation in Hawaii, officials said.

Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan, in a news release, called it a "shocking betrayal of trust."

Smith's attorney, Joe Green, said Smith had pleaded not guilty and is "looking forward to a fair process where these accusations can be resolved."

The Westwood company serves Valley, East Fallowfield, West Caln, Wallace, East Brandywine and West Brandywine Townships. Smith, whose father worked at the station before him, became treasurer in 2007.

He is accused of making more than 400 personal purchases with the fire company's credit card and also charging the station for services he did not deliver.

Officials said he spent the money on vacations, season tickets to the Phillies, clothing, and restaurants.

Mike Noone, first assistant at the District Attorney's Office, said the theft took more than two years to investigate because of the volume of records, dating back years, that had to be reviewed.

Company president John Sly said members of the station are "deeply saddened" and angered by the case.

Smith has been charged with multiple counts of theft, forgery, and related charges.