WINCHESTER, Ky. — A Winchester firefighter resigned and was arrested after admitting to claiming more than $10,000 in fraudulent overtime pay, according to local authorities.
Kenneth Ball was taken into custody on March 26 and charged with one felony count of theft by deception of $10,000 or more. Following his arrest, he immediately resigned from the Winchester Fire Department.
Winchester Police Chief Travis Thompson said the investigation began after Fire Chief Christopher Whiteley flagged potential payroll fraud on March 25. During an internal audit, Whiteley, the department’s administrative staff, and the City Hall Director of Finance discovered that Ball had claimed extensive overtime over the previous 13 months without actually being at work.
Detective Bob Mott reviewed the records, interviewed staff, and determined sufficient probable cause existed to pursue felony charges. Ball later met with Mott at the Winchester Police Department, was read his Miranda rights, and provided a full confession.
Chief Thompson emphasized that the City of Winchester has zero tolerance for fraudulent time claims and acted quickly to investigate and hold the employee accountable.
