June 08 -- A man who retired from the Fort Wayne Fire Department two weeks ago will serve a year on probation after pleading guilty to taking thousands of dollars from a fund used to help city police officers and firefighters.
Daniel A. Newport, 54, of the 3800 block of Andover Place was arrested Thursday morning by Indiana State Police detective Clint Hetrick. Newport pleaded guilty Friday in Allen Superior Court to theft, a Level 6 felony, and was sentenced by Magistrate Samuel R. Keirns, according to electronic court records.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday in Allen Superior Court, the following is alleged to have occurred:
Newport, along with two other men, operated Guns-N-Hoses, a charitable organization that gets most of its money from an annual golf charity. The trio ran the charity 2000-13, with Newport serving as treasurer.
When Fort Wayne firefighters or police officers needed help, the charity would give them cash or checks in amounts that ranged from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. The donations were recorded.
Between 2000 and 2013, Newport took nearly $25,000 for personal use. In 2013 a new person took over the organization and asked Newport to stay on as treasurer. A new account was created with only the two of them having access to it. During that time, Newport made several unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $32,600.
Newport explained that the withdrawals were going to police officers and firefighters. However, when those people were contacted, they said they had never received any money from the charity or Newport.
The time period listed on the affidavit for the crimes is July 2014-December 2017.
His retirement as a captain means the fire department is not involved in the case.
“He no longer falls under our command,” said FWFD spokesman Deputy Chief Adam O’Connor.
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