Alfalfa, Ore. — The Alfalfa Rural Fire District Board of Directors has placed former Fire Chief Chad LaValle on administrative leave following allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure. The board voted 3-1 to suspend LaValle, who has faced heightened scrutiny over district spending and hiring practices.
Board Places LaValle on Administrative Leave
Board Chair Bob Kathman announced the administrative action, stating that the decision was made pending the outcome of an ongoing review into department records. Mark Laucks, a board member and former chief of operations, cast the lone vote against sanctioning LaValle before resigning from both of his positions with the district.
“Dear Chad, effective immediately, the board of directors for the fire district has placed you on administrative leave from your volunteer position with the district,” Kathman said. “This action is being taken on a non punitive basis, pending the conclusion of an ongoing review regarding district management and operational records.”
Spending Allegations Include Nearly $56,000 in District Funds
The administrative leave follows a report from the Prineville Review detailing allegations that LaValle used district funds to cover nearly $56,000 in expenses, including personal and family travel. According to the report, $36,000 of those expenditures were tied to specific trips for LaValle, his wife Leslie, their son, former Chief of Operations Keegan Parvin and former firefighter Ronald Reed.
Las Vegas Trip Draws Scrutiny
In February 2022, LaValle, his wife and a former volunteer firefighter traveled to Las Vegas. Records show the district paid more than $1,600 for flights, accommodations at MGM Signature and a Priceline vacation package. KTVZ News investigated the trip in 2024 after receiving a tip from a former volunteer who claimed the trip was presented as attendance at a certification clinic that the LaValles did not attend.
Residents Question Expenses as Laucks Defends Training Costs
Concerns over spending were also voiced during a board meeting as Laucks and board member Caroline Chase discussed why recent expenditures were lower than in prior years. Responding to the discussion, a resident attributed the lower spending directly to LaValle’s absence.
“As an easy answer, because Chad’s not here spending all of it,” the resident said. “That’s why.”
Laucks defended some of the past expenses as legitimate department training costs.
“Well, so, yes, I mean, there were there were there are legitimate there are legitimate charges,” Laucks said. “You remember, Chad was also training and,”
The resident countered Laucks’ defense during the meeting.
“I don’t recall Vegas being a number one spot for firefighter training,” the resident said.
LaValle Responds, Raises Concerns About Emergency Coverage
In a statement provided for this article, LaValle said he had been helping locate files at the board’s request. He also raised concerns about staffing and emergency coverage, saying additional volunteers had resigned and the station had temporarily been taken out of service. Those claims have not been independently verified for this article.
His statement appears in full below:
"On November 12, the Alfalfa Fire District Board notified me that it had placed me on administrative leave from my volunteer role. The Board described the leave as non-punitive while its review of District management and operational records is pending. I have been actively helping locate files at the Board’s request. And this leave had been anticipated given the roll of the incoming board members.
I’m speaking in my personal capacity, and as such In my view, the District was already struggling to staff emergency calls. Since I was placed on leave, several more volunteers have resigned, and the station has been temporarily taken out of service at the administration’s request. I’m concerned that these changes will reduce emergency coverage and delay needed care for residents, while putting more pressure on the few remaining volunteers.
I’ll reserve further comment on the review until it is complete."
This story was provided by our media partners at KTVZ News and is part of our joint investigation and story series on the Alfalfa Fire District.
Spencer Sacks
Spencer Sacks is a Multimedia Journalist with KTVZ News.
