Ex-Ladue Fire Chief Still Under Investigation

Eric Hinson, as of last Friday is out as fire chief for the City of Ladue. Hinson announced his retirement at age 43 recently. He is under investigation for missing funds from the St. Clair, Missouri Fire Department.

Hinson made questionable purchases from 1997 to 2011 and now some $200,000 is unaccounted for. He is being represented by high profile attorney Catherine Hannaway, a major figure in the Missouri Republican party.

Jeff Johnson has stepped in as acting fire chief while the city searches for a permanent replacement.

Hinson joined the St. Clair department in 1987. In 1993, while holding a $25,000 a year part time job he joined the Ladue force.

In July of 2011, he was appointed chief of the fire department in Ladue, replacing the retiring Ted Jury who moved over to take the reins in Brentwood.

Hinson told Ladue officials he was going to retire and his last day on the job was Friday. The Hinson family has been involved with fire fighting in St. Clair for as long as anyone can remember.