Hower S. Smith III
The long-time treasurer of the Westwood Fire Company was charged Wednesday with stealing as much as $300,000 from the fire company over a five-year period, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said.
Hogan announced the arrest of Hower S. Smith III for stealing more than $300,000 from the Westwood Fire Company from 2006 through 2012. Smith was a long-time member of the fire company and the Treasurer for Westwood from 2007 through 2012.
“This crime was a shocking betrayal of trust,” Hogan said in a statement. “The defendant stole from volunteer firefighters who risk their lives for their community. The defendant used the stolen funds to go on extravagant vacations and live the high life. Greed drove this defendant to steal from his community and those who protect it.”
The defendant is 57 years old. Authorities said his last known address is on Spruce Street in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
The allegations from the criminal complaint1 are as follows:
Westwood Fire Company serves the citizens of Valley Township, East Fallowfield Township, West Caln Township, Wallace Township, East Brandywine Township, and West Brandywine Township. Westwood Fire Company responds to more than 3,000 fire and medical calls per year.
The defendant had been a member of the fire company for approximately 40 years. His father had been a long-time member of Westwood, and the defendant was trusted by other members. The defendant eventually was named the Treasurer of Westwood Fire Company.
The defendant’s thefts came to light in 2012 when the defendant charged over $2,000 worth of unauthorized purchases to a fire company credit card while on vacation in Hawaii. Westwood officials immediately notified the Valley Township Police Department and the Chester County Detectives. The defendant was removed from office in January of 2012 when fire company officials discovered the theft. A thorough investigation revealed the scope of the defendant’s thefts.
The defendant used the Westwood Fire Company credit card to make over four hundred personal purchases, forged signatures on over 100 checks that he wrote out to his personal business, stole from the firehouse safe, manipulated bingo records to steal money from fundraising activities, and charged the fire company for services and products he failed to deliver. The defendant used the stolen funds to take extravagant vacations, purchase season tickets to the Phillies, purchase pool supplies, purchase clothing, rent hotel rooms, rent vehicles, and pay for meals in restaurants.
The defendant was arrested today. He has been charged with felony theft, forgery, and related charges. He will be preliminarily arraigned before Magisterial District Justice Grover Koon.
“The members of the Westwood Fire Company are both deeply saddened and angry at the alleged betrayal of trust by one of our long-time members,” Westwood Fire Company Executive Officer John Sly said. “It has always been the intention of the members of the fire company to ensure that this criminal process was handled thoroughly and with complete transparency. The Westwood Fire Company would like to express our appreciation to all of the generous contributors who donate to our organization to keep us operating. Without your support, we could not continue to provide a cost effective service to the community.”
“This case underscores the importance of financial safeguards for all organizations and businesses,” Hogan said. “This defendant was able to abuse his position of trust to steal from volunteer first responders. Westwood Fire Company should be commended for bringing this theft to the attention of law enforcement and fully cooperating with the investigation.”
This case was investigated by the Chester County Detectives and the Valley Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Alex Gosfield has been assigned to prosecute the case.
