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Former Farm Manager Charged With Funds Misuse: Ex-Boise Worker Accused of Using City's Money or Supplies

Posted on: Thursday, 15 December 2005, 12:00 CST

By Brad Hem, The Idaho Statesman, Boise, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Dec. 15--The former manager of a Boise city-owned farm was charged Tuesday with misuse of public funds, a felony, and a judge has issued a warrant for his arrest.

David C. Skinner, 46, resigned from his job as manager of the 20 Mile South Farm on Oct. 17 in the midst of the investigation. City officials have declined to say why he resigned, but the city's internal audit office has been investigating allegations that city money in the farm budget was used for personal use.

The complaint against Skinner does not detail the facts of the case, but it does allege Skinner "appropriated money and/or livestock supplies purchased with city funds for his own use." No dollar amount was given.

Further action may be taken, possibly including further charges against Skinner or other farm employees and a civil suit by the city to recover money lost to Skinner, said Michael Zuzel, a spokesman for Mayor Dave Bieter.

The city began investigating Skinner in March after one of his coworkers reported concerns to a supervisor in the Public Works Department who then raised questions to Human Resources. Three months later, Public Works asked the internal audit office to review the past six years of records and transactions at the farm. Zuzel said Skinner's alleged crimes were not easy to find.

"These are the sorts of things that were not obvious," he said. "They were pretty obscure."

Zuzel said the city's whistle-blower protection policy implemented earlier this year might have made it easier for Skinner's colleague to report abuses.

Auditors since have documented dozens of questionable financial transactions and possible policy violations involving farm operations, including improper expenditures and personal use of city-owned equipment.

However, Zuzel said that audit report will not be released because of the possibility of further charges.

Skinner began working for the city in October 1999. At the time of his resignation, his annual salary was about $47,000. His arrest warrant lists an address in the 1000 block of North Arlington Drive in Eagle.

Efforts to reach Skinner on Wednesday were unsuccessful. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and could include an order to pay restitution to the city. Misuse of public funds is the same charge levied against former Mayor Brent Coles, Chief of Staff Gary Lyman and former Human Resources Director Tammy Rice in 2003 for their involvement in the City Hall travel and spending scandal.

"As city employees, we are held to the highest standards of conduct," Bieter said. "Misuse of public money not only hurts taxpayers, but also defames city employees who are honest, diligent public servants."

The city bought the farm at Cloverdale and Nicholson roads east of Kuna in 1994 and uses it to spread treated sewage sludge from city wastewater treatment plants. The city uses the sludge to fertilize feed crops and sells the crops each year.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

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Source: The Idaho Statesman, Boise

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