Former Deltana fire chief calls into court after allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands from department

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - On Wednesday, the former Fire Chief of the Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department called into his court hearing from North Carolina.

Michael Paschall, who previously occupied both Fire Chief and Board Secretary for the fire department in the Delta Junction area was previously indicted on multiple theft-related charges.

Paschall is suspected of stealing approximately $400,000 from the department’s accounts which, according to the prosecution, is believed to be related to a lapse in the department’s insurance, “for a number of years.”

“The fire firefighters went out there and drove...and they were not insured, and obviously he created substantial risk to the firefighters themselves and to the community,” the prosecution said during Wednesday’s hearing.

During the hearing, Paschall was assigned a public defender once a judge determined his financial eligibility. Paschall stated he currently works for himself doing part-time work.

A judge declined to order Paschall to return to the state of Alaska despite the prosecution’s request, who alleged Paschall “fled the state” to North Carolina after supposedly confessing the misuse of fire department funds to a newly hired treasurer.

For the time being, Paschall will be permitted to stay in North Carolina, but the judge warned of the possibility of being ordered to return if Pachall neglects to appear virtually or by phone for a court hearing — and that Paschall will be required to appear in-person for an official trial.

The judge ordered Paschall not to be in possession of any checks, bank cards or any other form of funds for any bank accounts not belonging to him — with or without the permission of the account owner.

Paschall was also ordered not to have contact with any witnesses involved with the case outside of contact with their legal counsel and to stay off the fire department’s property.

Paschall declined to comment when contacted by Alaska’s News Source. His trial has been set for Feb. 10, 2025.

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