By Donna M. Perry, Staff Writer
Published on Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016 at 1:01 pm | Last updated on Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016 at 1:01 pm
KINGFIELD — The town’s public works director is accused of taking $1,136 worth of diesel fuel and improperly acquired parts for a personal tractor, according to Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Detective Kenneth Charles issued Bruce White, 52, of Kingfield a summons Monday charging him on a felony count of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, Nichols said.
White is scheduled to be arraigned on the charge at a Farmington court Nov. 29.
A conviction on the charge carries up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint Aug. 26 from officials from the town of Kingfield regarding the possible ongoing theft being conducted by an employee of the town, Nichols said in a release.
“This theft included parts purchased for the suspects personal tractor (that was the same make and model as the town’s tractor) as well as theft of diesel fuel for personal use,” he said.
Detective Kenneth Charles was assigned the case and started an “exhaustive investigation” which included interviewing vendors who supplied the town with tractor parts as well as interviewing the suspect, Bruce White, according to the release.
“Mr. White was interviewed this week and was forthcoming, cooperative and apologetic regarding his behavior,” Nichols wrote.
During the interview it was learned that 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, he said.
White was listed as the public works director on the town of Kingfield website www.kingfieldme.org.