Couple charged with theft of nearly $40,000 from AC Rescue Squad
This is the headquarters of the Anderson County Emergency and Rescue Squad on J.D. Yarnell Parkway in Clinton. All members of the squad are volun- teers who are not compensated for their service. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Alex Rule Ridenour, 34, and his wife, Jessica Starr Ridenour, 36, who have an address on Ross Cemetery Road, Rocky Top, are alleged to have written “17 unauthorized checks from the rescue squad bank account to Jessica Ridenour (total $35,010.97), and five unauthorized checks to Alex Ridenour (total $4,300),” according to an investigative report released last week by the Comptroller’s Office.
“The checks were deposited into their joint bank account,” the report said.
At the time of the alleged thefts, Jessica Ridenour was the volunteer secretary of the Rescue Squad, and Alex Ridenour was an assistant chief. The squad’s headquarters and station are at 145 J.D. Yarnell Industrial Parkway in Clinton.
On Sept. 3, an Anderson County grand jury indicted Jessica Ridenour on “one count of theft of property over $10,000, three counts of forgery over $2,500, and one count of conspiracy to commit theft of property over $10,000,” the report said.
That same day, the grand jury indicted Alexander Ridenour on the same charges.
Bond was set at $75,000 each for the Ridenours, and the two are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30 before Criminal Court Judge Ryan M. Spitzer.
“The rescue squad’s board chairman told investigators that someone else signed his name on some of the checks,” the comptroller’s report said.
The report noted that the Rescue Squad is funded by “contributions from Anderson County government, donations, and fundraisers.”
The alleged thefts took place from May 2021 to April 2022.
“Jessica Ridenour and Alex Ridenour, a married couple, volunteered for the rescue squad since at least 2012 and 2018, respectively,” the report noted. “During the period reviewed, Jessica Ridenour held the position of rescue squad secretary, and Alex Ridenour was the rescue squad assistant chief.
“Although Jessica Ridenour was responsible for processing reimbursements and purchasing supplies, she was never an authorized signatory on the rescue squad bank account.
“Alex Ridenour did not have any financial responsibilities as the rescue squad assistant chief,” it continued.
Both of the Ridenours resigned from their positions on the Rescue Squad in May 2022.
“The Anderson County Emergency and Rescue Squad (rescue squad), located in Clinton, Tennessee, was chartered as a nonprofit organization in 1958 and provides rescue services, including vehicle extrication, mountain rescue, fire support, K-9 search and rescue, water and recovery, and technical rescue to Anderson and surrounding counties,” the comptroller’s report said.
“It’s governed by a board of directors consisting of all rescue squad members and led by officers,” the report noted.
“The rescue squad operated a single bank account, and the board chairman and a former treasurer were authorized signatories on the account.
“According to rescue squad bylaws, all members perform their duties without compensation.”
“This investigation revealed a number of deficient practices within the rescue squad,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower.
“These included pre-signing checks, failing to require two signatures on checks, not requiring or retaining adequate documentation for disbursements, and not reviewing and reconciling bank statements,” he said.
“I encourage prompt correction of these issues.”
To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports.