spectr17
02-28-2003, 06:11 PM
Federal wildlife officer charged with arson, insurance fraud
February 28, 2003
Associated Press
PORT ST. JOE — A federal wildlife officer has been charged with setting his truck on fire to collect insurance money.
Robert Gay, 51, an officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson and burning to defraud, state fire marshal's Lt. Kevin Fiedor said Wednesday.
The Feb. 5 fire at Gay's home in this Florida Panhandle city caused an estimated $16,000 in damage to the 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck.
"He did not collect the insurance," Fiedor said. "We had our investigators on it right away."
Gay told investigators he believed someone else set the fire. He denied the charges when contacted at his home Wednesday.
"I've been falsely accused," he said. "I wish I could go into detail about it, but I'm not at liberty to do that."
If convicted on both counts, Gay could be sentenced a maximum of 20 years in prison.
He has worked for the Department of Interior for 28 years and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of his case. He could lose his job and retirement if convicted, said state fire marshal's investigator Don Cieota.
February 28, 2003
Associated Press
PORT ST. JOE — A federal wildlife officer has been charged with setting his truck on fire to collect insurance money.
Robert Gay, 51, an officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson and burning to defraud, state fire marshal's Lt. Kevin Fiedor said Wednesday.
The Feb. 5 fire at Gay's home in this Florida Panhandle city caused an estimated $16,000 in damage to the 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck.
"He did not collect the insurance," Fiedor said. "We had our investigators on it right away."
Gay told investigators he believed someone else set the fire. He denied the charges when contacted at his home Wednesday.
"I've been falsely accused," he said. "I wish I could go into detail about it, but I'm not at liberty to do that."
If convicted on both counts, Gay could be sentenced a maximum of 20 years in prison.
He has worked for the Department of Interior for 28 years and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of his case. He could lose his job and retirement if convicted, said state fire marshal's investigator Don Cieota.