Mayor Explains Billing Discrepancies
At 3:30 p.m. Monday, Warsaw Street Department Superintendent Lacy Francis resigned his position after 22 years. The resignation followed an investigation that unveiled approximately $150,000 in billing irregularities.
According to Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, the city received a tip back in December that a contractor had been billing the city for repairs to aging storm water lines. “They were billing for work and repairs that wasn’t done,” Thallemer explained.
The contractor, who is not local but is not yet being named publicly, is being cooperative and has agreed to restitution, Thallemer said. “All parties are cooperating,” he added.
A tip from a disgruntled employee of the contractor led to the investigation, said the mayor, noting that the billing discrepancies could have been negligence, but an investigation by the Warsaw Police Department is ongoing. To date, the investigation has found that approximately $150,000 has been overpaid to the contractor dating back to 2011. “That number could go up, but probably not significantly,” said Thallemer.
The city will immediately advertise for a new street department superintendent. In the interim, Dave Tackett will serve in the position until his retirement on Friday. Roger Long, who recently transferred from the planning department to the highway department, will then assist administrator Terri Keim in running the day to day operations.
Thallemer said the investigation is continuing and additional information will be released as findings are revealed. It is not yet clear whether the case involved criminal activity or negligence, but the city does plan to seek restitution.