Post by casper on Sept 6, 2012 22:13:20 GMT -5
CWLP employee arrested for alleged on-the-job theft
A 21-year City Water, Light and Power employee was arrested Wednesday afternoon for allegedly stealing parts from city-owned trucks and selling them to local recycling centers on city time.
Stephen Ferrier, 41, of the 400 block of North Grand Avenue West was charged with theft, Springfield police said.
CWLP officials told police someone had stolen brass fittings worth more than $7,500 from trucks in a city parking lot in the 400 block of South 11th Street sometime between Friday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Ferrier was working alone on the night shift during that time, police said.
He was arrested about 3 p.m. Wednesday during his normal rounds, according to Deputy Police Chief Cliff Buscher.
Ferrier was promoted from fire hydrant crew laborer to night shift complaint man in April, according to city spokesman Nathan Mihelich. He is paid $57,856 a year.
Mayor Mike Houston said Ferrier “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Since his arrest, he has not been at work and will not be paid for those absences,” Houston said in a statement. “It is also a personnel matter, and as a union employee he has rights under his collective bargaining agreement. The process that is outlined in that collective bargaining agreement will be followed, and all procedures will be implemented.”
Ferrier appeared to be having financial troubles, according to court records. Three small claims complaints have been filed against him in Sangamon County Circuit Court since April.
On Aug. 21, a judge ordered a total of $1,045 to be deducted from his city paycheck to cover an unpaid ambulance bill from June 2011.
Also last month, Ford Motor Credit Co. filed a complaint against Ferrier, alleging breach of contract and seeking $7,187 still owed on his 2006 Ford 150.
“If he’s guilty, I hope he gets the whole weight of the law thrown at him,” said Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards. … “I don’t know how somebody thinks that this is OK.”
Ward 8 Ald. Kris Theilen said he was stunned.
“I wonder how long this has been going on and if he acted alone,” Theilen said. “We have many wonderful employees that do great things every day. I’m sorry to see that the small percentage of bad employees keep getting the headlines.”
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin said aldermen must reserve judgment.
“If these allegations are proven, the consequences are serious,” he said.
Wednesday’s arrest marks at least the second time this year a CWLP worker has faced allegations of improper activities on company time.
In April, a City Water, Light and Power lineman was fired and two others suspended for allegedly using city equipment, apparently on city time, to cut down a 60-foot pine tree for one of the worker’s brothers.
www.sj-r.com/police/x1547504950/CWLP-employee-arrested-for-alleged-on-the-job-theft
Like I always say, when Drugs start to effect your personal life..... you sir are an addict.