HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. -- Firefighter and former Brown Township trustee Troy Wymer was charged Friday morning with theft and official misconduct.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the current Brown Township Trustee Tom Kmetz reported to Indiana State Police that Wymer paid himself six extra checks from the Brown Township account totaling $9,739.50.
Wymer served as the trustee from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2014.
Wymer told Call 6 Investigates he paid back the money when the error was discovered.
“Yes, there was an overpayment, but it was an accident,” said Wymer. “The error was my mistake, and I self-reported it to the State Board of Accounts.”
“We don't feel that repayment once a theft is discovered is a valid defense for an intentional over payment,” said Andy Shank, Director of Special Investigations for the Indiana State Board of Accounts. “Just like handing back the merchandise after you've shoplifted does not negate the crime committed, repaying the money after it has been unlawfully taken does not erase the initial action. If crimes like this were not prosecuted, it would set the dangerous precedent that a public official can simply repay stolen funds and the situation would be resolved.”
Wymer has not been arrested on the theft and official misconduct charges, filed Friday morning in Hendricks County Superior Court 3.
The Wayne Township fire department placed Wymer on paid administrative leave Friday until the conclusion of the theft and official misconduct charges.
Wymer also made headlines back in 2015 when he was arrested with unlawful entry and battery.
In March, Wymer reached a pretrial diversion agreement.
“I had to take anger management classes,” Wymer told Call 6 Investigates.
