Amid allegations of fiscal misconduct at the University of California, Davis, the campus's former fire chief, Nathan J. Trauernicht, was indicted on felony charges of misappropriating public money, as reported by the Yolo County District Attorney's Office. Trauernicht, 45, was formally accused by a Yolo County Grand Jury earlier this month and appeared in court for arraignment on Monday, according to abc10, he was released on his own recognizance.
The case also implicates another former employee of the UC Davis Fire Department, Meagan McFadden, who was similarly charged for the misappropriation of public funds. According to KCRA, a spokesperson for UC Davis has stated, "We take seriously any alleged misuse of university funds and are fully cooperating with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office."
Trauernicht, who had been with the department since April 2008, resigned on Oct. 1, following nearly 13 years in his role as chief. Meagan McFadden, who was employed as an executive assistant within the department from November 2019, left the university service on January 30. The details of their alleged involvement in the misappropriation will be clarified during court proceedings.
Both Trauernicht and McFadden are scheduled to definitively face the judiciary next month for their respective roles in this alleged malfeasance. Trauernicht is expected to make his next court appearance on January 21 for a trial-setting conference, and on the same day, McFadden is set to appear in court for an arraignment.
