Troy “Mac” Hohenberger pleaded guilty in May 2023 to multiple federal charges related to misuse and theft of funds from the Argyle Fire District Inc. operating account, along with making false statements to the Department of Labor. He was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Eastern District of Texas. Hohenberger was indicted in November 2022.
"Since January 2023, the Denton County [Emergency Services District] No. 1 board of commissioners, the new fire chief and administrative staff have worked diligently to make the firefighters whole, and to ensure accountability, sustainability and transparency for the future," officials from the district, formerly the Argyle Fire District, said in a news release. "Today’s decision marks a significant moment in the board’s efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service for the citizens of our communities."
ESD No. 1 operates from three fire department buildings, and serves Argyle and other areas of Denton County. Hohenberger also was ordered to pay $509,807.50 in restitution to the Argyle Fire District Inc. and to forfeit $28,048.34, the release stated.
The details
The release stated that, according to information presented in court, Hohenberger stole money from the operating account of the Argyle Fire District Inc.—which received federal funds in the form of Medicare reimbursements—and used over $490,000 of those funds to pay personal credit card bills. Those personal credit card expenses included cash advances at casinos, payments related to a family member’s business in Hawaii and other personal uses.
In addition, the evidence showed Hohenberger failed to fund firefighter retirement accounts in the time required by federal regulations, embezzled or stole the funds, and made false statements related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act-qualified firefighter retirement plan on a form submitted to the Department of Labor, the release states. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration.
What they're saying
“Today’s sentence sends a message that my office takes seriously crimes related to the misuse, theft and embezzlement of retirement- and pension-plan assets, particularly when such offenses are committed by fiduciaries ... who are charged with protecting the assets of employee benefit plans,” U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs said in the release. “Because the defendant chose personal gain over his fiduciary responsibilities, he will now spend significant time in prison."
