LOCATION: City of Fruitland
SUSPECT: George A. Calloway
SYNOPSIS: During the month of February 2013 it was brought to the attention of the Fruitland City Council President that a possible ongoing internal theft scheme was being committed by an employee of the City of Fruitland. The information was immediately relayed to the Fruitland Police Department and investigation was initiated. As a result of the investigation, evidence was found that George A. Calloway, Deputy Director of Fruitland Public Works and Utilities, had possession of city government property and equipment as well as evidence that he had improperly utilized city services in excess of $8000.00. During the investigation search and seizure warrants were executed at Calloway’s home shop and residence where property of the City of Fruitland was located and recovered. Mr. Calloway’s 11 year employment with the City was terminated and he has been charged with the following crimes:1.Theft $1,000-$10,000
2. Theft Scheme $1,000-$10,000 (and other related offenses)On 7/8/13 Mr. Calloway was arrested and held in lieu of $100,000 bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
PUBLISHERS NOTES: It should be noted that an inmate on work release driving/riding a trash truck was also arrested for ordering car parts sent to his home on a City of Fruitland Credit Card. An upcoming Press Release on that matter should be forthcoming soon.
26 comments:
When and Pollitt and McDonnell were there this didn't happen
Calloway was hired 11 years ago...who hired him?
He did not start until Konrad and Psota
He has been charged for yrs 11, 12, 13 - not 11 years ago. If George was Deputy Director of Fruitland Public Works and Utilities, than the Director of Fruitland Public Works and Utilities was not over seeing the Department very well, especially since you say a credit card was involved.
Just remember.....they apparently have proof of years 11, 12, and 13. This may have gone on for many years they just do not have the proof "YET". When did he get the title of Deputy Director? That may be when it originally started (when he had more control). Speaking as an accountant, there are more people involved in this.
Tip for Police & Investigators: You need to look at who issued the Purchase Orders and who approved his bills (Council & Treasurer-who is on the council by the way).
2:59, do you really think anyone is that stupid to believe that council people have any involvement in issuing purchase orders? That is done by staff.
2:59 is a conspiracy whacko.
2:23 who said a credit card was used?
I think the only person to blame here is Calloway. Look at all the private businesses that have been stolen from lately by employees, I didn't hear anyone blaming them.
I think anyone making accusations against people other than the one being charged should have to use their name.
ANOTHER COVERUP by the city of Fruitland!! When will it ever end?
Except 3:58 with a private business it's the owner's money. With government it's the tax payer's money and there are safeguards in place for this type of thing not happening had others been doing their jobs.
Wow, Isn't he a member of the Willards Volunteer Fire Company?
Yes 4:49, maybe it is the fire departments fault. Lmao
4:41, how would it be harder for an employee to walk out of a work place with property that happens to be owned by a city than it would by a private company. A theif will always find a way.
This is 2:59 here:
3:51 & 3:55 I think you two protest too much. You know the saying....
3:51 - I never said the council issues P.O.'s......calm down and reread my comment above. Also, I believe your defensive comment confirmed my suspicion that the City of Fruitland does NOT use a purchase order system. That would be their first mistake.
I stated that the Council has to "approve" bills. There is a councilperson who is the treasurer....right???? I am not accusing anyone in particular, but anyone who knows anything about accounting knows where to look!
Signed:
An Accountant
5:13, You are quick to judge. A purchase order is usually applied in government to purchases over a certain dollar amount, and above that amount, are subject to a competitive bidding process. Small purchases below a certain dollar amount, that are placed on local business accounts and purchase cards, are done by approval of the department head, a deputy director or equivalent. Those purchases below the requirement of a purchase order, will only show up on a paid bills sheet with a very basic description of the purchase that will be made available to the council/treasurer at the end of the month. The check and balance is the person designated in charge within the department authorized to make/sign off on purchases. If the person in charge of authorization, or has the ability to circumvent the system due to their position of power, happens to be a thief, unfortunately, these things can happen. A council person would have now way of knowing if a description of a purchase made at, let's say Lowes for hardware, was not being purchased for legitimate City business. Obviously, being an accountant doesn't mean that you are correct. I happen to know the treasurer of Fruitland and she is about as honest as they come.
6:33
I am not judging.....just trying to advise the City of Fruitland.
I'm glad you know how PO systems work but does the City use them? It takes work but you can root out thieves before they rack up huge amounts.
Example: 1. The budget for Public Works is a certain amount every year. There is an average of monthly expenses they should have and anything above normal should be looked into. If they normally spend $3,000.00 a month at Lowe's and it jumps to $4,000.00 someone needs to find out why??? 2. Have an inventory count once a month. 3. Shell companies......etc. I could go on but you get the idea.
Honest people can also be too naive and think that things like this don't happen.
Look at Hebron Bank for example.
6:33....8k over 3 years wouldn't jump out at you, your example nets 36K and probably would. Also, from the press release, it appears as if items were taken from the city, not just bought and taken home.
"Speaking as an accountant, there are more people involved in this. Tip for Police & Investigators: You need to look at who issued the Purchase Orders and who approved his bills (Council & Treasurer-who is on the council by the way)"
And your not judging? Sure seems like you are blaming and assuming rather than advising and it looks to me like the person to blame is sitting in the pokey. I am sure that your "advising" is appreciated.
Look at the citys website. The deputy treasurer retired the end of May. Is there more to this story? Its in the council minutes.
Accountant here:
8:14 - Items taken had to be purchased. Inventory control could help prevent this. I agree, the person to "blame" is in the pokey.
If no one else is involved then one or more people are not doing their job and have just become complacent and too trusting...or they are just uneducated. Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings but that's the way it is.
If 8:22 is correct then maybe the City fixed their problem or it's just coincidental.
The City Auditor should have uncovered this in 2011 when it reportedly started.
Apparently my suggestions are hitting a nerve with someone. I don't understand why some comments are so defensive. I wasn't trying to offend.
I dont think the deputy treasurer has retired yet. She was supposed to but is still there. You arent hitting any nerve with me, i just enjoy pointing out what i know to be incorrect comments, and you obviously dont like being pointed out as wrong. I Volunteered on a commission for many years in fruitland so I know a little about what I am talking about
Who did inventory in this department? That is where it would be detected that the tools or whatever were not there that were purchased.
10:14
Please tell me what were the incorrect comments that are "wrong". I made suggestions to try to help. If the City thinks that by terminating this one employee that they solved their problem then they are mistaken. They need to find out how it could have happened and install safeguards. Sorry, but volunteering on a "commission" doesn't make you knowledgeable in accounting and auditing.
Do you "know" if a PO system is being used...do they do inventory every month...do they have an auditor? There are some suggestions by the way.
At least 8:21 has the right idea.
10:14. I would suggest you come to the council meeting tonight at 7:30 PM and get the correct answers to your questions instead of just guessing how things are done.
Too bad 12:40. There were two people at the meeting and 3 of 5 council members why don't you look at the minutes and see what councilors have managed to be there. Fortunately, the bad seeds are being thinned out. Yes, it is too bad that someone the city trusted stole from us, but many changes are taking place that prior councils didn't have the guts to do. Some of the tough changes aren't sitting well with a few people as you can tell from one particular commenter. It probably was one of the bad seeds we are rid of. You see, there are only a couple of people that actually ever show up, so it iisn't hard to figure out who is sour grapes. Anyone that actually knows about what is going on, can appreciate the changes being made. that is a fact.
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