Leadership

Ex-Ripon, WI, Fire District Chief Charged with Using Credit Card for Personal Use

Dec. 5, 2024

Timothy Saul resigned in 2022 after Ripon fire officials asked for five years of credit card statements.

The ex-Ripon Area Fire District chief has been criminally charged with using a city credit card for personal expenses.

Timothy Saul is accused of paying for hotels and personal bills with the district's credit card for several years, dating back to 2016.

He resigned shortly after a meeting in 2022 with district officials who requested five years of statements, according to WBAY.

A deputy fire chief told officials Saul, “was going through a rough patch” and that he had used the RAFD credit card for personal purchases. He added that the chief paid off the entire card, including late fees.

The fire district’s bookkeeper and accountant said Saul was distraught over the issue.

“Based on the personal use of the credit card with balances, at times, exceeding the credit limit and late fees, the defendant would likely have personally benefited with balance on the RAFD credit card not appearing on his personal credit score,” according to the criminal complaint.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.