LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - More than $26,000 was spent for a Little Rock wastewater utility employee to live on utility property, according to a report released Wednesday.
The city of Little Rock released the summary of a police investigation into the utility’s expenditures after it was revealed that its CEO, Reggie Corbitt, gave approval for Operations Manager Stan Miller to live on publicly funded utility property, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (https://bit.ly/1k8rZ9Q ). The report will be sent to the prosecuting attorney, who will decide whether to file charges.
According to the police summary, the total cost for the living arrangement is more than $26,000. It also said Miller was asked about using utility funds to construct or improve sites for his RV on two utility properties.
“Mr. Miller states he did in fact use funds for the aforementioned purposes,” Police Chief Stuart Thomas wrote in the summary report. “Mr. Miller said these expenditures were authorized by the CEO, Reggie Corbitt.”
The report also examined what happened to unused pipe left on utility property and allegations that someone shot at street signs on the grounds of one of the facilities.
City manager Bruce Moore said the report revealed that “utility funds were used for purposes that are not allowed.”
“The misuse of utility dollars is definitely a concern,” Moore said, though he stopped short of saying whether he believed a crime took place.
The report notes that state law prohibits any employee of a municipal corporation from accepting something from the entity without paying for it at the same rate and in the same manner than the general public pays.
It’s not clear when a determination on whether charges will be filed will take place. Miller and Corbitt have both been on paid administrative leave since December.
Corbitt has agreed to resign from the utility if he is paid through the end of the year, which would include an auto allowance, health coverage and legal expenses.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com
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