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State police investigate Martinsville city employee

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MARTINSVILLE — Indiana State Police have launched a criminal investigation on a City of Martinsville employee, according to state police Sgt. Curt Durnil.

State police would not name the city worker they are investigating.

“Like all other criminal investigations, the Indiana State Police will not identify case suspects unless a compelling public safety interest exists,” Durnil said. “In this case, no such interest exists. Once completed, the case will be presented to the proper prosecuting authority for their review.”

ISP began its investigation at the request of the Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Jan. 21, Mayor Shannon Kohl announced police Chief Matt Long was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Rodger Wiltermood is serving as interim police chief, and has been with the department for 30 years.

Martinsville Clerk-Treasurer Becky Tumey told Call 6 Investigates she received information that indicated possible misuse of time and overtime compensation by a Martinsville city employee.

Tumey provided the following statement to RTV6:

In the fall of 2018, I was given information of possible misuse of time and overtime compensation by a city employee. I reported the information to the Indiana State Board of Accounts and an investigation was initiated. While the investigation by the SBOA is still ongoing, I have been informed that there is merit to the information. My office and I have cooperated fully with the investigation and plan to continue to do so. At this time, I am unable to provide further details as the investigation is still pending. Please be assured that my office and those who work in my office are dedicated to ensuring the proper application of state statutes and city policies in the allocation of funds. It is our goal to provide the best possible plan of action to correct the immediate problem and aid in the prevention of future misuse of funds.

State Examiner Paul Joyce with the State Board of Accounts told Call 6 Investigates the audit is still ongoing.

It’s not yet clear when the findings will be released.

“When we work on audits we work in conjunction with law enforcement,” Joyce said.

Mayor Kohl issued the following statement to RTV6:

We do not comment on pending investigations and we do not comment on employment issues. At this point I’m waiting for the report from the SBOA and Indiana State Police investigation. Our office takes these matters very seriously. Our administration is committed to transparency and compliance. We’ve been fully cooperative and will continue to fully cooperate with the investigations.

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