OxfordPress.com

HAMILTON — Tens of thousands of dollars may have been embezzled by the wife of a Hamilton firefighter who narrowly survived a training accident on the Great Miami River, officials said.

Michelle A. Gabbard, 31, the wife of Hamilton firefighter Chris Gabbard, was arrested Wednesday morning, July 16, and charged with theft, a fourth-degree felony, according to police records.

While working as a loan officer at CHACO Credit Union, 100 S. Third St., Gabbard allegedly stole more than $30,000, said Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper.

Gabbard was fired from the credit union and the investigation is ongoing, but CHACO claims that Gabbard engaged in a "detailed, convoluted pattern" of embezzlement, Piper said.

The alleged thefts started in September 2007, according to records. That was the same month her husband served as a charity run co-marshal for the Drake Center, where he received physical therapy because of injuries he suffered in an April 2007 water rescue training accident.

Through fundraisers, the community rallied to support the Gabbard family and John Hansbauer and his family, another firefighter injured in the accident.

Piper said discussions he's had with Gabbard's attorney, Jonathan Fox, indicate that Michelle Gabbard wants to cooperate with the investigation and make restitution.

"That training accident was a tragedy and the community support was well deserved," Piper said. "(Michelle Gabbard) got into a pattern of activity that resulted in trouble with the law. It's unrelated to the support we owe to police and firemen, and people shouldn't confuse the two."

The Gabbards declined to comment on the allegations and their attorney could not be reached. Messages left at the credit union were unreturned.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, in Hamilton Municipal Court. If convicted, Gabbard faces a maximum of 18 months in prison.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.