Former Pacific Junction fire chief accused of stealing from department's charity

Pacific Junction's former fire chief is accused of stealing at least $40,000 from the city's firefighters' charitable fund. Ernie Gencarelli, Jr., 67, is charged with first-degree theft, money laundering and continuing criminal mischief.

Gencarelli served as fire chief for about five years, from 2018 until he resigned in May 2023. Mills County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Ripperger said in late 2023 the city's new fire chief reported his concerns.

“He had noticed unusual charges on their Pacific Junction Fire Responders Association charity account. It was not a city-related account. This was a true charitable account for the firefighters,” Ripperger said at a news conference. “He had noticed charges at local restaurants and things that didn’t seem appropriate.”

Funds for the account came primarily from department fundraisers, such as pancakes or meals, as well as donations from local residents. During his five-month investigation, Ripperger said he uncovered inappropriate charges worth about $40,000.

“Cash withdrawals, personal purchases, loan payments, even things like a chest freezer and diapers,” Ripperger said.

The Pacific Junction Fire Department was officially disbanded last December, when all of its members resigned. Fire calls in the community are now handled by the Glenwood Fire Department. Mills County Prosecutor DeShawne Bird-Sell said the alleged misconduct was disheartening because the money came from donors who supported the firefighters.

“They were all volunteer firefighters. These were people who were here in their free time. These are all the people who raised money and put all these funds into these accounts,” she said, “and one of their own took it and used it for his own purposes.” »

Ripperger said the charitable account lacked the type of oversight that could have prevented the former fire chief's alleged actions. “He was president, secretary and treasurer of this charitable fund,” the MP said, “and when I spoke to other members of the department, (they said) he would just give an update of the balance, so there were no checks and balances in place at the time.

Gencarelli faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted of the criminal charges.

(Reporting by Ryan Matheny, KMA, Shenandoah)