Unionville Embezzlement Case Rocks Fire Department in Michigan

Former fire chief charged with felony for misusing nonprofit funds from the fire department’s 501(c) account.

Unionville Embezzlement Case Raises Alarms Over Small-Town Fire Department Oversight

A long-serving former fire chief in Tuscola County, Nicholas Sakon, 35, of Unionville, has been charged with felony embezzlement after a Michigan State Police investigation revealed personal misuse of nonprofit fire department funds.

The incident came to light in December 2024, when the Unionville Fire Department discovered financial irregularities in its 501(c) account. The department, which operates as a nonprofit, flagged suspicious activity involving over $5,000 in expenditures. Sakon had served on the department for 18 years, the last 10 of which he led as chief.

Detectives from the Michigan State Police Caro Post took over the investigation. Their findings confirmed that Sakon had been making unauthorized personal purchases with the department’s nonprofit funds since at least May 2023.

Felony Charge Filed for Embezzling From a Charitable Organization

Based on the evidence, the Tuscola County Prosecutor’s Office charged Sakon with a felony: Embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 from a nonprofit or charitable organization. Under Michigan law, this is a 10-year felony. If convicted, Sakon could face a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $15,000 or three times the amount embezzled—whichever is greater.

Sakon was arrested and arraigned on May 22, 2025, in the 71B District Court of Tuscola County.

Why This Matters to Rural Michigan Communities

This case underscores a vulnerability in small-town departments where oversight may be limited and long-tenured leadership can result in a lack of checks and balances. Nonprofit fire departments, like the one in Unionville, rely heavily on public trust, donations, and volunteerism. A breach like this not only jeopardizes operational funding—it can permanently damage community confidence.

Similar issues have occurred in other parts of rural Michigan, where limited staffing and financial review procedures have made nonprofits susceptible to internal fraud. Fire departments, in particular, operate with tight budgets and are often overlooked in audits unless problems surface.

Embezzlement from Nonprofits: A Growing Concern

According to the Michigan Nonprofit Association, financial mismanagement among small nonprofits, especially in under-resourced rural areas, is a recurring challenge. The Association advises that even the smallest nonprofit organizations adopt clear financial governance practices, including independent auditing and dual control on expenditures. (Source: Michigan Nonprofit Association, https://mnaonline.org/)

Local officials in Tuscola County have not issued a public statement on the incident. There is currently no indication of additional charges or civil action.

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