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Ex-Ladue Fire Chief Gets 35 Months in Mail Fraud Case

Eric Hinson was sentenced in a case involving his misuse of St. Clair Fire Protection District funds.

The former chief of the Ladue Fire Department, who simultaneously served as chief of the St. Clair Fire Protection District, was sentenced today for 35 months in prison for his misuse of nearly $600,000 in St. Clair funds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

A statement from the prosecutor's office said:

"Eric Hinson was sentenced...on mail fraud and multiple tax evasion charges involving his misuse of approximately $593,236 of St. Clair Fire Protection District funds between January 2006 and September 2011.

"As a result of the federal investigation, Hinson resigned his positions as Chief at both the St. Clair Fire Protection District and the Ladue Fire Department.  In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay restitution of $615,298."

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The statement further says:

"According to court documents, Hinson used the District credit cards to pay for family vacations to Hawaii and Florida, to pay for personal items such as sporting goods and other items, limousine rentals, tickets to Six Flags, Big Surf Water Park, and other entertainment expenses, restaurant meals, gasoline, and hotel rooms, as well as to obtain significant cash advances.

"Without the knowledge and authority of the District, Hinson directed that these personal credit card charges be paid with District funds."

Hinson, 43, pleaded guilty to the charges in February.


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