Scio Township firefighter accused of embezzling from the Ann Arbor Moose Lodge withdraws no contest plea, will go to trial
Christopher Steeb, a lieutenant with the Scio Township Fire Department and a former administrator with the Moose Lodge, asked to withdraw his no contest plea to one count of embezzling between $50,000 and $100,000 in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.Â
Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Paul Barnett did not contest Steeb’s request.
A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as one for sentencing purposes.
Attorneys requested a transcript of the July 1 hearing during which Steeb entered the plea in exchange for the dismissal of a felony charge of embezzlement exceeding $100,000.
At issue is whether the plea agreement was formally entered or deemed conditional by the judge, said James Fifelski, Steeb’s attorney.
“He’s asserting his right to take this case to trial and I believe he has reason to,” Fifelski said without elaborating. He said he filed an emergency motion with the court late Tuesday upon learning of Steeb’s reversal, which also nullifies a sentencing agreement with the judge.
Steeb, a 34-year-old Dexter resident, is accused of stealing more than $150,000 from the organization while serving in a position of authority over a two-year period. He was an acting administrator with the lodge at the time the crimes occurred, but it was unclear if he was paid.
Court records show the offenses date back January 2005 but went unreported to police until late 2007.
Scio Fire Chief Carl Ferch said Steeb remains an on-call firefighter with the department and he does not expect that status to change, if at all, until the case is resolved.
A felony conviction would impact Steeb’s employment, but Ferch said he believes too many people rushed to judgment.
“He’s been a loyal township employee for many years and an accomplished combat firefighter,” Ferch said by telephone while vacationing Wednesday in the Pacific Northwest.
“I don’t nearly believe that everything to do with this issue has been brought out yet.”
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach our news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Isanopinion
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 : 5:26 p.m.
So, basically if I have a medical emergency and this Scio firefighter comes to my house to help me, I have to worry about if he is stealing from me? What if he responds to my fire alarm? He will be in my house, searching around as I wait outside. He could be helping himself to money, jewelry, whatever he wants to. I always held Firefighters and Police Officers to a higher standard and taught my children to trust them indefinitely and to know that they could always go to them for help. Now I have to worry when Steeb is in my home, responding to whatever alarm has sounded. Chief, please, for the safety of the citizens, and for the safety of your department, suspend this firefighter pending the outcome of the trial. Scio fire will be the first person I accuse if something comes up missing after they have responded to my home.
firedude
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 10:05 a.m.
As a matter of fact, burnitup, he is one and the same.
burnitup
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 8:25 p.m.
Is this the same guy that was terminated from Ann Arbor Township Fire Department a few years ago for disobeyig orders and freelancing? Check the record, I believe there was action at the Township Board level.
firedude
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 6:08 a.m.
I agree with all of the comments made thus far, we also have to remember the FACT that the Washtenaw County Sheriff advised his deputies that they are to have no contact with him what so ever and he is not allowed in the Sheriff Dept side of the SAME building, so, how can he run a scene effectively ( when he is in charge )if he can not communicate with Law Enforcement. Bottom line; he has been charged with multiple felony counts, SUSPEND HIM PENDING THE OUTCOME. How hard is it for the gutless morons to do that?!?! Their job is to PROTECT their residents public interests and, again, they FAIL to do that. As far as being an "accomplished combat firefighter", well, we all know, he is more of a freelancer who disobeys orders on a regular basis, but, i guess when you are best buds with the Chief you can do what ever you want.
Cendra Lynn
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 9:39 p.m.
Sounds to me like Scio Twp. has no government. A fire chief who's on vacation and behind on training? No one able to suspend someone under this sort of suspicion? Who's running City Hall? Oh, wait. There isn't one.
burnitup
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 1:44 p.m.
Not only is he still responding to calls, he remains in the position of being in charge of emergency scenes and has a daily position of authority. Doesn't do much for the theory that firefighters are held to a higher standard, as are police officers. Not real sure why the township and the chief continue to ignore the potential risks (perceived or real) associated with letting someone with these particular charges pending remain in what appears to be an unrestricted status. Even the fire lieutenant in Dexter was under administrative suspension with pay to avoid this situation. It looks like the withdrawal of the no contest plea may be a legal attempt to delay the outcome. Why would you plead no contest in the first place if there was not some reason(s) or basis? But then again, why not delay the process if you are still working and enjoying a paycheck without question?? Going thru a trial could be another year or more before a verdict is reached, especialy with legal delays, motions to adjourn, etc. Public service at it's finest.
51justme
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 12:02 p.m.
It's interesting that he can continue to run calls and get paid, and the public and township management and the Fire Chief, aren't concerned on what he could do inside a TAXPAYERS home? As a home owner, I am! A Dexter Firefighter that was arrested awhile ago, was suspended right away! Scio Township has no policy on things like this! I called the fire department and the township offices! That is very SCARY! The Scio Fire Department is not respected by other departments or ask to be included in activities! The Chief has been on vacation since he started, and hasn't seen the inside of any type of training in a very long time!
burnitup
Wed, Sep 9, 2009 : 8:55 p.m.
When is Chief Ferch going to admit that Steeb is a full-time employee and not a paid-on-call? Sure he is a paid-on-call, he gets paid for every call he goes on when he is on duty. Combat firefighter??? In Scio? Let's pin a medal on the boy!!!