Red Cross worker accused in Angora fund embezzlement

Police in Texas arrested a Tahoe area American Red Cross employee Thursday for allegedly embezzling funds designated to help victims of the 2007 Angora fire, according to a statement from the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office.

Texas Department of Public Safety officers took John Stephen Hellman into custody after a $150,000 arrest warrant was issued by El Dorado County Superior Court on Thursday, according to the statement.

The arrest was the result of a lengthy investigation by the distinct attorney's office, in cooperation with Red Cross authorities, according to the statement.

Hellman was appointed to serve as the Tahoe Area Preparedness and Response manager for the Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross in September 2007.

A criminal complaint charges Hellman with one count of embezzlement and 10 counts of grand theft embezzlement, according to the statement.

How much was allegedly embezzled was not included in the statement, but in June 2008, Courtney Miller, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross, told the Tribune the disaster relief agency had received about $850,000 in donations earmarked for Angora fire relief.

The district attorney's office could be immediately reached for comment on Thursday evening.

Just prior to the release of the statement by the district attorney's office, Carol Evans, the interim CEO for the Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross, acknowledged there was an investigation surrounding Hellman for allegedly embezzling Angora fire relief funds.

Citing the on-going nature of the investigation at the time, Evans declined to comment in detail.

"Things may change," Evans said on Thursday afternoon.

Hellman's main job function in Tahoe was to bring American Red Cross emergency preparedness and response coordination to the area, according to an announcement from the Red Cross at the time he was hired. Hellman was also expected to focus on community outreach, health and safety training such as first aid and CPR and overall disaster preparedness education and training throughout the area, according to the announcement.

Prior to accepting the position and moving to Lake Tahoe, Hellman served as the director or disaster services at the Heart of Texas Area Chapter in Waco, Texas, according to the announcement.

Hellman is being held in Texas pending extradition, according to the statement.