Poker Writer
A former fire department assistant chief in the Cleveland area is accused of stealing as much as $1.6 million to gamble. Richard Vandevander was the treasurer and assistant fire department chief of Hambden Township, 35 miles to the east of Cleveland. He allegedly diverted department monies from January 2023 to May 2026 to fund his own gambling.
Vandevander was indicted by a Geauga County grand jury on charges of aggravated theft of $1 million or more and money laundering. The investigation began on July 27 when a suspected major theft was reported to the prosecutor’s office. Vandevander allegedly converted the funds through transfers and numerous checks written to himself.
Fire Chief and Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildebrand worked with the 59-year-old Vandevander for many years. He said he was shocked and angered by the betrayal:
It’s very, very, I want to say disappointing, but we’re angry. I can’t believe this is a guy that called himself a brother. We depended on him and he depended on us in many situations, life-threatening situations, to save each other’s lives and have each other’s back, and he stabbed us in the front and the back.
Fortunately for the fire department, Vandevander could not access federal funds earmarked for the station. Most of that money remains available for a planned renovation project.
Reports say that insurance will cover most of the stolen funds. However, the department must deal with a shortfall for the time being.
Vandevander’s page on the fire department’s website appears to have been scrubbed.
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Gambling at JACK Thistledown Racino
Vandevander used the stolen funds for gambling at JACK Thistledown Racino, a property with a racetrack outside of Cleveland. He went deep into the red while gambling at there, where he spent most, if not all, of the embezzled funds.
The racino is one of two JACK Entertainment properties in the Cleveland area, along with JACK Cleveland Casino in the heart of downtown. It has a bustling poker room with 26 tables. JACK Cleveland has also hosted Major Series of Poker the Tour (MSPT) events, including one this weekend.
