© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Former Fire Chief Pleads Guilty In Charity Theft Case

The former chief of the McMahan Fire Department has admitted to taking some $200,000 collected for the Crusade for Children.Under a plea agreement announced today, Paul Barth faces a recommended sentence of three years and five months in prison for mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.He must also pay $190,000 in restitution to the crusade and more than $8,000 to the McMahan Fire District.Barth has been under federal indictment for more than two years, accused of using crusade donations to pay off personal purchases made on a fire department credit card.The 55 year old Barth resigned as McMahan fire chief and was removed as chairman of the Crusade for Children in early 2010.More than half of the charitable organization’s donations are collected by firefighters across the region.Formal sentencing is scheduled for October 4 in U.S. District Court. 

Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.

Can we count on your support?

Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – generous people like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.