CHESTERFIELD, Ind. — A suit filed against five former Chesterfield officials seeking repayment of $259,000 they allegedly took in town funds came as a surprise to two town council members contacted Tuesday.
Indiana Attorney General Gregory F. Zoeller on Monday filed an 18-count civil complaint that seeks as much as $1,305,518 in damages from the former officials and the bonding companies that insured their professional performance. Damages are sought from former Clerk-Treasurer Christopher Parrish, ex-Town Marshal James Kimm, former police officer Joseph Brown, former maintenance superintendent James Walters and ex-maintenance worker Chris Walters.
“We haven’t been briefed on any of it,” said Town Councilman Ron Branham. “I think we’re just waiting on the summation of what is going to occur.”
Town Councilwoman Karen Wilson said Tuesday that she had no information about the suit, and didn’t learn about it until she saw news accounts. She said she would have no comment until she learned more about the suit.
The five officials were accused in a State Board of Accounts audit of a number of schemes in which Parrish allegedly authorized illegitimate payments to the four others for trips never taken, maintenance on vehicles never done, and hours never worked.
While no criminal charges have been filed, Madison County Prosecutor Thomas Broderick Jr. said his office has been informed, “that is a federal investigation.
“I’ve been advised they’re going to pursue any charges at the federal level once the investigation is complete,” he said.
The State Board of Accounts audit was referred to the Indiana Attorney General’s office, which filed the civil complaint for damages in Madison Circuit Court.
Timothy M. Morrison, United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, would have jurisdiction to file any criminal charges in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis. Per policy, Morrison’s office neither confirms nor denies that any investigation is under way.
Meanwhile, Branham said Chesterfield has been able to take care of its core services since losing nearly a quarter of its annual operating budget.
“We’ve had to curtail some spending, but I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “We’re waiting to see if any money can be recouped, but it’s a matter of pulling in the spending reins and watching every dollar.”
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
Cops, courts and fires
News of Chesterfield suit surprised council members
Ex-officials still may face criminal charges
- Cops, courts and fires
-
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Woman considering lawsuit over police actions during arrest
An Anderson woman said police crossed the line when they shot her with a stun gun, and then pepper sprayed her during an arrest in February.
-
Arrest log: May 26
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on Madison County Jail records.
-
Arrest log: May 25
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on Madison County Jail records.
-
Boxes outside Aldi catch fire
A small fire outside the Aldi grocery store in Anderson caused an evacuation of shoppers and employees.
-
Arrest Log: May 24
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
Indianapolis woman whose fetus died in suicide try freed
A Chinese immigrant who tried to kill herself by eating rat poison was free on bond Tuesday after more than a year in an Indianapolis jail on charges that she killed her 33-week-old fetus.
- More Cops, courts and fires Headlines
-
Arrest Log: May 28
