A Red Cross official in Laurel is accused of embezzlement.

Laurel police say 37-year-old John Matt Everette was arrested Dec. 15 on a charage of embezzlement.

His wife, reached Saturday at their home, said they had no comment.

Everette was hospitalized in November for a heart condition and was on leave from the agency at the time of his arrest.

Everette volunteered in disaster and youth programs before becoming director of emergemency services for the Pine Belt Chapter in early 2005.