Cotton Valley fire officials arraigned
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: July 12, 2012
Adam Hurley, former assistant fire chief in Cotton Valley, Monday was arraigned on charges of malfeasance in office, injuring public records and unauthorized use of an access card ($1,500) in Webster Parish District Court Monday.
Hurley, in court with his attorney, Marty Stroud, pled 'not guilty' to all the charges. Hurley's co-defendant, former Cotton Valley Fire Chief, Dennis Meshell did not appear in court for his arraignment on the same charges; however, Stroud entered a plea of 'not guilty' for Meshell.
The two were arrested in March and charged with malfeasance in office, injuring public records and felony theft. Allegedly, close to $50,000 in monies designated for the fire district through donations and reimbursements were diverted into two checking accounts - including a 'coke' fund - maintained by Meshell and Hurley over a three-year period without the knowledge of their governing board.
Both men say the accounts have been around for years, and have produced minues and invoices as proof of their claim.
A status conference is set Aug. 6, with a trial date on Sept. 17, but a plea deal may be in the works that would involve making restitution.
