Scott Peterson, 47, of Fulton, has been arrested and charged with stealing from Fulton Professional Firefighters L2945.
Peterson is the firefighter union's former president.
"We want to reassure our supportive community that this was an isolated and internal incident that impacted the members of our organization who remain committed to providing the excellent fire and rescue services that Fulton residents have come to expect," current union President Justin Malone said in a prepared statement.
The theft was discovered during a transition of union leadership as a new treasurer was reviewing past financial statements and found in-state and out-of-state transactions not consistent with how union funds are normally spent, according to arrest documents.
"The leadership and members of Fulton Professional Firefighters L2945 made Callaway County authorities aware of the alleged theft of funds by Mr. Peterson from our organization," Malone said.
The transactions dating between May 2016 and November 2020 amount to $30,595.74. During those times, Peterson had access to union funds and the card associated with the organization's bank account while he served in the roles of treasurer and president.
The transactions were described in arrest documents as of "an obvious personal nature" occurring in locations such as Florida, Indiana, Maryland and California.
The Fulton Police Department asked Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism on Feb. 5 to conduct an investigation. Malone and Treasurer Logan Nichols presented a summary of the transactions to Chism, according to a probable cause statement.
Former union presidents Joey Mirth and Merit McLeod also told Chism the transactions were not consistent with the normal financial expenditures of the union.
Chism found posts on Peterson's personal Facebook page with documented dates and times consistent with the transactions.
On Feb. 19, Chism interviewed Peterson, who said financial difficulties led to the onset of criminal acts, according to the probable cause statement. Peterson reportedly admitted to knowingly conducting 130 fraudulent transactions amounting to $22,622.47.
He was arrested and released. The Callaway County Jail confirmed Wednesday that Peterson was not in custody.
Acting as a court-appointed special prosecuting attorney, the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney charged Peterson with felony stealing Wednesday.
Peterson was unsure if other transactions were fraudulent, according to Chism. An investigation to determine the validity of the remaining transactions is ongoing.
Peterson has a court appearance scheduled at 9 a.m. April 9.
The union condemned Peterson's actions.
"His membership in our association has been revoked and we continue to fully cooperate with Callaway County authorities as they conduct their respective investigations," Malone said.