Richard Fowler was fire chief from 2009 to 2014, then later served as fire chief in Skowhegan, Maine, a position he was fired from after several months last year.

The 48-year-old Fowler reached a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced in Strafford Superior Court on Wednesday. He apologized to the town, fire department, family and friends. He said his life became challenging when he was involved in bad car crash and became addicted to narcotics.

The county attorney’s office said Fowler will have to pay most of the money back.