Retired Chief Jerry Austin has been arrested for stealing $500,000 from students in the Fire Technology progam at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, which is just east of Los Angeles (map).
According to a story in the Contra Costa Times, Austin set up a bank account using the College’s tax ID number, which is identity theft, and forged the name of one of the staff members of the fire academy when he opened the account. It is believed that he then overcharged the students for the classes and pocketed the extra funds.
Austin is, or at least was, the director of the Mt. San Antonio College’s Fire Technology Program, but his name has been scrubbed from the college’s web site. However, using Google’s cache we were able to view the some of the information about Austin that was deleted. Here is an excerpt from the Fire Technology faculty page:
Chief Jerry Austin 909-594-5611 ext 5051
Director of Fire Technology has served the Anaheim Fire Department for 29 years and is a retired Division Chief Fire Marshal. Chief Austin began his college education as a fire technology student in 1972, at Santa Ana Community College, as an athlete and graduate, his goal was to become a firefighter.
On September 30, 1974, Chief Austin was hired by the Anaheim Fire Department, has earned titles including Inspector, Arson Investigator, State Certified Instructor, Public Fire Education Specialist, Engineer, Captain, Planning and Research Officer, Safety Officer, Services Officer, Hazardous Materials Specialist, Battalion Commander, Administrative Division Chief, and Division Chief Fire Marshal.
The Fire Technology program usually has about 1,000 students enrolled each semester. Austin has been on paid administrative leave since the investigation began in September.
Austin pleaded not guilty to four felony counts during an arraignment on Monday. He owns property outside the country and is considered a flight risk, and is being held in jail in lieu of $3 million bail.
Thanks Dick
