Three former chiefs of the defunct Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department, including current Brooksville Chief David Freda, were arrested Friday, each was charged with one count of organized fraud.
The charges stem from a seven-month Hernando County Sheriff's Office investigation of misappropriation of public funds.
Freda, 31, was picked up during a traffic stop late Friday at a 7-Eleven store at County Line Road and U.S. 19. Earlier in the day, interim City Manager Lyndon Bonner, who had been made aware of the warrant out for the chief's arrest, placed Freda on unpaid administrative leave.
Bonner did the same with Brooksville fire Capt. David Murdock, 29, who was arrested at his other job, at Bayfront Health Dade City.