VFD Treasurer Admits To Stealing $150,000

The former treasurer of the Bethany Pike Volunteer Fire Dept. has admitted to stealing $150,000 from the VFD.
Daniel Keener, 46, of Wellsburg, pleaded guilty in federal court last week to one count of wire fraud.
He admitted that he used his position as treasurer to divert funds from the department’s bank accounts for his personal use over a five-year period.
Keener used the stolen funds to purchase concert tickets, make payments on personal credit cards, pay for a family member’s educational expenses and purchase jewelry.
“Mr. Keener abused the trust placed in him by his colleagues at the fire department and now he must pay the consequences,” said U. S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
Keener is facing up to 20 years in federal prison, and he must make $150,000 in restitution.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated with the assistance of the West Virginia State Auditor’s Integrity and Fraud Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
“This guilty plea highlights the importance of the work of our Public Integrity and Fraud Unit, in conjunction with other agencies throughout the state,” State Auditor J. B. McCuskey said.
“For years, this money should have been used to protect the community of Bethany Pike and ensure our firefighters have the supplies they need. Instead, Keener used his position to betray his neighbors and his fellow firefighters in order to enrich himself. We hope this plea sends a strong message that we are watching and will not tolerate stealing from the people of West Virginia.”