December 9, 2009

Two former members of the Troutville Volunteer Rescue Squad faces charges of separately embezzling thousands of dollars from the organization.

A Botetourt County grand jury indicted 38-year-old Elizabeth L. Falls of Fincastle this week on four counts of embezzlement. Thirty-three-year-old Stacy Tanaka of Troutville is charged with two counts of embezzlement.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jill Deegan says Tanaka and Falls formerly were leaders of the squad and had access to bank accounts and credit cards. The two cases aren't related. Rescue squad Capt. Kenny Ball says an internal investigation found discrepancies in the squad's accounts.

Ball says both Tanaka and Falls have resigned and are cooperating with authorities.