The president of the Franklin County Rescue Squad now finds himself on the wrong side of the law facing felony charges of theft.
John WM “Pete” Brackin Jr., remains in the Franklin County Jail on one charge of Theft of Property, First Degree, a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 2-20 years upon conviction.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, the Sheriff's Office received a complaint in April about the Franklin County Rescue Squad having a large amount of money missing.
The complaint was made after an audit of Rescue Squad funds was conducted. After a review of bank records and receipts obtained by investigators, there was more than $13,000 unaccounted for. The investigation showed Brackin had allegedly used the funds to purchase items not intended for use by the Rescue Squad.
These include purchases of food from restaurants, prescription drugs, men's clothing, dog and cat food, a back massager, a PlayStation 4 console, internet service at his residence and Brackin's and his wife's cell phone bills.
Oliver also said on some transactions, Brackin would get cash back and on several occasions, he withdrew Rescue Squad funds from an ATM.
“He was questioned and admitted to using the funds to purchase the items,” Oliver said. “He was not able to produce receipts for any of the transactions. He also admitted being an 'avid' PlayStation player and he was the one who purchased the PlayStation 4 game.”
Oliver said Brackin, who has been president of the Franklin County Rescue Squad for several years, demonstrated a “pattern” of using Rescue Squad funds to buy personal items for many, if not all, of his years as president.
The Franklin County Rescue Squad is not recognized by the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads as a member, Oliver said. Additionally, the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency does not recognize the Franklin County Rescue Squad as being an active rescue squad, Oliver added.
Over the past 12 months, the Franklin Free Press has conducted an independent investigation into the Franklin County Rescue Squad after receiving citizen complaints in 2021 about alleged misuse of funds.
The FFP's investigation revealed that the organization continues to receive monies from the Franklin County tobacco tax and the Franklin County Commission, as well as private donations, but the Franklin County Rescue Squad has not received one emergency call or request for assistance in more than two years.
Additionally, a source familiar with the organization told the FFP that the Franklin County Rescue Squad does not have any insurance on its downtown Russellville building or equipment.
As recently as 2021, Franklin County Rescue Squad members continued to actively solicit donations for the organization.
Investigators asked Brackin for records of calls for service the Rescue Squad had received, but he was unable to produce any.
Over the last 36 months, $13,019.39 of taxpayer money has been converted by Brackin for personal use, Oliver said.
“We want the public to know that the Franklin County Rescue Squad periodically asks the public for donations,” Oliver said. “The rescue squad is not in good standing with state or local officials to operate as a rescue squad.
“The Franklin County Rescue Squad has now been removed from receiving any more taxpayer funds,” Oliver added.
Oliver said Brackin could face additional charges as the investigation moves forward.
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