Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160095
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``There always are some loose ends to tie up, but for the most part, the investigation is complete,'' said Grimes, who is the special prosecutor for the case.
Grimes said he is reviewing the evidence compiled by the state police special agent. He said he will decide in the next couple of weeks whether there is enough evidence to seek an indictment from a Salem grand jury.
He does not expect his evaluation to be complete by Friday's scheduled grand jury meeting.
Lautenschlager, a 23-year-member of the Salem Rescue Squad, is being investigated in connection with discrepancies found in the Wiley Fund, a rescue squad account.
The Wiley Fund was established in 1986 in memory of rescue squad paramedic David Wiley. There was about $20,000 in the account when it started, and except for a couple of scholarship awards, board members who oversee the account thought it was dormant.
When the board looked at the books several months ago, however, it found that money had been going in and out on a regular basis. In addition, about $2,000 was unaccounted for, the lawyer for the Wiley Fund has said.
Lautenschlager was the only board member authorized by the bank to sign checks drawn on the account. He has said he used the money for training supplies and materials, and replaced it with fees from classes.
Lautenschlager has been suspended from the rescue squad pending the outcome of an internal squad investigation.
Last month, the state police were authorized to expand their investigation to include Lautenschlager's involvement with the Western Virginia EMS Council. He has worked for the emergency medical coordinating organization for about 13 years and is the executive director.
That inquiry was requested by the EMS council's board after an internal audit raised questions regarding the handling of some transactions, the board's treasurer said. However, no money is missing.
by CNB