Ex-Killian Police Chief Improperly Collected Overtime, Used Town Credit Cards for Personal Purchases

An investigation into the Town of Killian’s Police Department found the former chief collected overtime pay for hours he did not work, used Town credit cards for personal purchases, and may have failed to forward traffic citations to the Town Clerk. In addition, auditors found that the Town bought scuba equipment for the Police Department’s dive team from a company owned by the dive team commander.

Investigative auditors found that the police chief was paid $994 for 35 hours of overtime between May 2015 and May 2017 based on time sheets he submitted. However, Town fuel card purchases and social media postings showed the chief was out of state on the dates in question.

In addition, records showed that between May 2015 and June 2017, the chief charged $1,208 on Town credit cards for personal clothing from Men’s Wearhouse ($460) and for fuel while out of state ($748). While the chief maintained the clothing purchase was for a full uniform suit, he admitted that he used his Town vehicle and the Town’s fuel card for a personal vacation.

Auditors also found that, in 2011, the Town improperly bought $31,119 in scuba equipment for the Police Department dive team from a company owned by the dive team commander, who was also a part-time officer. Records indicated that the Town obtained three bids for the purchase, but two were from companies owned by the dive team commander and his wife. The third came from an out-of-state company asked to submit a bid by the dive team commander.

State law prohibits public employees from bidding on or entering into any contract or transaction under the supervision of the public agency that employs them. The Town’s management also may have violated state law by buying the equipment without a competitive bid process.

In addition, auditors found that between October 2012 and June 2016, 76 traffic citations issued by Town police officers could not be accounted for. Although it appeared the citations were recorded at the Police Department and deposited with the chief, they were not forwarded to the Town Clerk for proper disposition in mayor’s court.