Three former chiefs with the defunct Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department -- Travis Morris, David Freda and David Murdock -- were arrested Friday and charged with organized fraud for stealing from the department. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office began its investigation seven months ago after anonymous tips accused the three chiefs of misappropriations of funds.
Morris and Freda, the current fire chief for the city of Brooksville, have both been charged with a first-degree felony of organized fraud of more than $50,000. Murdock, a current fire captain in Brooksville, is charged with a second-degree felony of organized fraud of more than $20,000.
