By LEONARD GRAY

DES ALLEMANDS – A former fire chief and his wife, the fire department’s former treasurer, were arrested Thursday for allegedly stealing more than $7,200 from fire department funds.

Anthony Touchard, 38, formerly of the Des Allemands Area Volunteer Fire Department, and his wife, Rebecca, 28, were arrested at their home at 100 Retreat Drive, Bourg. They have been charged with theft of more than $500 and could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $3,000 fine, the sheriff said.

According to St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg C. Champagne, state auditors last year turned up suspicious transactions in department records between February 2000 and August 2001 and turned the matter over to 29th Judicial District Attorney Harry Morel’s office, which in turn turned it over to the sheriff’s office.

An investigation was immediately launched, Champagne said, and almost immediately thereafter, a burglary was reported at the fire department, in which financial records were reported stolen. The Touchards also left their offices at about that same time.

The investigation continued and the Touchards were brought back from Terrebonne Parish Thursday evening. “We just wanted to be thorough about it,” Champagne said, as to the length of the investigation.

Champagne continued that according to the affidavit leading to the arrests, the Touchards had issued checks and made cash withdrawals from fire department accounts, spending the money at such places as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Home Depot, Ramada Inn and even Accent Annex for carnival throws in the Krewe of Des Allemands parade.

In addition, an improper check was written to a Thibodaux attorney not long ago, Champagne added.

The total amount, so far as can be determined, is $7,275.92, according to Champagne, including six checks and 28 cash withdrawals.

Inquiries to fire department officials were directed instead to New Orleans attorney Mike Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, through an employee, said his policy is not to speak about cases on the telephone.

A face-to-face interview could not be scheduled by press time.

Bond was set for the Touchards at $50,000 each by District Judge Robert Chaisson.