Former Florida Chief Facing Grand Theft Charge

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Sept. 16--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- The former fire chief of the West End Volunteer Fire Department is headed to trial for grand theft.

According to an arrest affidavit, Eduardo Pardo, 42, of Panama City Beach, spent fire department funds on a Lincoln car, the Richard Petty Driving Experience and several merchants in the Central Florida area, including World Quest Resort, Golden Corral, Nine Dragons, Howard Johnson and Pecos Bill's Cafe. Bay County Sheriff's investigators wrote that Pardo also spent fire department money to rent a vehicle.

Pardo told investigators he was authorized to spend $450 to $600 a month using the department's PayPal debit card.

"When asked why Pardo could not receive a check for his payment, he responded, 'That would be too suspicious,' " the affidavit states.

Investigators then gathered statements from department board members, including Pardo's wife, father, current chief and former president of the board, all of whom "said Pardo's position was not a paid position and he should not have used the funds for his personal gain."

The West End Volunteer Fire Department handled firefighting duties in that section of Bay County until the mid-1990s, said Mark Bowen, the county's emergency operations director. However, they haven't received any funding or equipment since that time.

All volunteer firefighters for Bay County have to pass a drug test, a physical and other criteria set by the county, Bowen added. Volunteer firefighters then get a stipend based on the number of calls they handle and their level of training.

No money or equipment is missing from the county and Pardo is no longer on the volunteer rolls, Bowen said.

Pardo's next court appearance is set for Oct. 10.