KINGFIELD – The town’s long-time road commissioner is facing felony theft charges involving town-owned diesel fuel and tractor parts that are alleged to have been taken for his personal use.
Road Commissioner Bruce White, 52, of Kingfield, who has served as the Public Works Department director for more than 20 years, has been charged with Class C felony theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols, Kingfield town officials reported on Aug. 26 that they suspected there was ongoing theft being conducted by an employee of the town, he said on Tuesday.
“This theft included parts purchased for the suspect’s personal tractor (that was the same make and model as the town’s tractor), as well as theft of diesel fuel for personal use.
Detective Kenneth Charles conducted an investigation, which included tracking down and interviewing vendors who supplied the town with tractor parts, and interviewed White.
According to Charles’ report, “White had taken on average 10-15 gallons a week of diesel fuel and over $700 worth of improperly acquired parts were also identified for a total of $1,136 between the fuel and parts.”
“Mr. White was interviewed this week and was forthcoming, cooperative and apologetic regarding his behavior,” Nichols said.
White was summoned by Detective Charles on a Class C felony charge of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer. A court date of Nov. 29 has been scheduled.
The investigation is taking a significant amount of time and is still ongoing due to the nature of a paper trail of town and vendors’ records, Nichols noted.
What in the world is wrong with people nowadays !!!!!!
I’ll bet this isn’t the only town that has had these kind of issues.
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