WARDEN, Wash. – Former Grant County Fire Chief, Kevin Whitaker accused of forgery and depositing over $30,000 into petty cash accounts for an alleged ‘gambling addiction’.
Grant County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives began their investigation on Nov. 13 after the board of commissioners for Grant County Fire District 4 discovered discrepancies in the district’s financial accounts.
Whitaker, 34, is accused of diverting over $30,000 between October 2022 and November 2024.
Investigators allege Whitaker deposited funds into the petty cash account instead of the district’s bank account, maintaining the petty cash balance.
Additionally, records indicate Whitaker forged signatures over 150 times on 102 checks from this account, totaling more than $30,000, written to himself. The district’s checks require two signatures, typically from the secretary and board members.
GCSO says that Whitaker is suspected of using the funds to ‘support a gambling addiction’.
Detectives recommend charges of multiple counts of forgery and second-degree theft.
Whitaker, hired in August 2022, was placed on administrative leave in November 2024 and subsequently left the fire district.
Interim Fire Chief Travis Svilar and the board of commissioners are cooperating with the investigation.
The investigation into Whitaker has been completed and submitted to the Grant County Prosecuting Attorney for potential criminal charges.
