By Dave Stafford, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
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
