Former fire chief guilty of theft
Ambrose Karlik sentenced to house arrest in Rankin Inlet, ordered to repay $26,738
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
RANKIN INLET
An upsetting chapter in the community came to a close after former fire chief Ambrose Karlik pleaded guilty in territorial court last month to stealing $46,000 from the Rankin Inlet fire department.
Smoke pours from a burning duplex as former fire chief Ambrose Karlik prepares to issue instructions to his crew in Rankin Inlet during a fire in January. - NNSL file photo |
Court heard how Karlik stole money raised at bingos, which was intended for improvements to the department.
The exact dates of when the embezzlement took place were not available but a confidential source said the documents concerning Karlik's behaviour were turned over to the RCMP three years ago. He was arrested while working for the fire department and resigned in fall 2015.
"This money was raised from the pockets of the community, and was designated for much needed equipment to protect and serve the community," current Fire Chief Mark Wyatt said in a victim impact statement on behalf of the department.
Karlik currently works for M&T Enterprises.
"Ambrose chose to control the finances of the association and used the money for his own personal expenses, hiding his activities from the rest of the department," Wyatt's statement read.
"This pattern continued over an extended period, and the amount of money he embezzled rose to upwards of $46,000.
"As suspicions arose because of money missing from bingos and unexplained cheques being written, firefighters became frustrated, and several excellent members quit the department rather than remain associated with what was now being perceived in the public eye as questionable financial practices within the fire department."
Karlik received a conditional sentence of two years less a day, placing him on house arrest and only allowed to leave for work. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $26,738 over time, perform community service, and read a formal letter of apology to the fire department over local radio.
Wyatt spoke about how the fire service is held in high esteem by the public, holding the firefighters to a long tradition of trust.
He said members of the community open their wallets to donate to fire department fundraising initiatives, trusting their money would be put to good use.
"This public trust is a tremendous responsibility and one rarely afforded to any other profession," said Wyatt.
"The position of fire chief is one held to an even higher esteem, as a leader and role model in the fire service and in the community.
"A fire chief must maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct, integrity and objectivity, and must refrain from any conduct that could discredit the fire department and its members. When one of us fails the public's trust through wrongdoing or misbehaviour, all of us suffer from that breach of trust."
As of press time, members of the Rankin Inlet Fire Department were still waiting to hear their former chief apologize to them for his actions over local radio.
