A former volunteer fire official in West Virginia has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for committing fraud. Donald A. Ennis, 44, from St. Albans, pleaded guilty after he set fire to his own home and misused funds from the fire department’s credit card.
Ennis was ordered by a federal judge to pay back $513,000 to his insurance company and a local volunteer fire department. After serving his prison time, he will be on supervised release for three years.
In February 2021, Ennis burned down his home, leading to a total loss. He fraudulently claimed insurance payouts of $161,100 for the house and $120,825 for its contents. The insurance company involved, based in Bloomington, Illinois, was not named in the reports. Notably, the annual premium for the insurance was under $980.
As the finance and operations manager for the fire department, Ennis also charged $153,700 on the department’s credit card from 2020 to 2022. His purchases included personal items like parts for his Jeep and other equipment, which raised concerns among prosecutors.
Before his sentencing, Ennis’s attorney submitted a plea for leniency. She highlighted his dedication to helping others as a paramedic and the positive impact he had on his community. Ennis has faced health challenges, including severe diabetes, and has sought mental health treatment in recent years. He expressed remorse for his actions, which have shocked those who knew him.
This case sheds light on the serious consequences of fraud, especially when it involves someone in a position of trust within the community.