Indicted Washington Twp. fire captain quits

6/12/2002

A Washington Township fire captain whose termination trustees were to consider when they meet Monday has resigned, preventing a third firing.

Tony Cochenour resigned Sunday from the fire department and from the Washington Township Fireman Association in a one-sentence letter to Fire Chief George Green.

Mr. Cochenour, 32, of 6153 Bahiamar Rd., was indicted in March by a Lucas County grand jury for insurance fraud. He is accused of filing a false report with township police about a break-in.

In August, Mr. Cochenour, who works as a paramedic in McComb, Ohio, reported a break-in at his home, stating that jewelry and electronic equipment were stolen. He received an insurance check for $6,200. Mr. Cochenour later signed a confession stating his report of the break-in was false, saying several of the “stolen” items were in his attic.

Trustees had planned to fire Mr. Cochenour for malfeasance next week from the position that paid $150 a month. Trustees terminated him recently from his laborer position with the township's road department.

In October, they fired him as zoning inspector for poor work performance after about two years on the job.

Last month, Mr. Cochenour's attorney, Jerome Phillips, sent a check for about $1,000 to township police, reimbursing the department for the cost of its investigation.