The former Ripon Area Fire District Chief has been convicted and fined for fraudulently using the Fire District’s credit card. Tim Saul pleaded guilty this week to three misdemeanor counts of financial transaction card-use to defraud and was fined a total of $3,000 plus court costs. According to a criminal complaint Sault allegedly used an RAFD-issued credit card for personal expenses totaling over $30,000, although District Attorney Eric Toney says Saul paid off the balance and the Fire District did not pay anything on the credit card for those purchases. Toney says Saul failed to provide proper financial management and communication to the Fire District Board allowing him to benefit from a significant line of credit, protecting his credit while accruing a high balance with late fees. “The Ripon community should be proud of the work of the Fire District to expose the defendant’s criminal activity and hold him accountable, based on the great investigation by the Ripon Police Department,” Toney said . “The Ripon area community should once again be proud of their Fire District and those serving them on the Board.” Saul resigned from the post a little more than two years ago.
