Motions argued against Colorado City officials
 
By JIM SECKLER
Mohave Daily News
 
KINGMAN — Several motions were argued Friday on the spending practices of the Colorado City Fire District.

Mohave County law enforcement officers raided April 6, 2010 the Colorado City and Hildale fire stations as well as Colorado City Manager David Darger and Colorado City Fire Chief Jacob Leonard Barlow's homes. Colorado City and Hildale, Utah, are the homes of the polygamist sect of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church.

Darger faces 13 felony counts including 10 counts of violating the duties as custodian of public funds, two counts of participating in a criminal syndicate and one count of assisting in a criminal syndicate. The charges allegedly occurred between February 2004 and April 2010. Darger had been elected the secretary-treasurer for the Colorado City Fire District.

Barlow is charged with 27 counts of violating the duties as custodian of public funds, two counts of participating in a criminal syndicate and one count of assisting in a criminal syndicate. Barlow had also been elected the fire chief for the fire district, which is now governed by a five-member board.

Darger and Barlow's attorneys argued several prosecution motions including adding allegations that the defendants committed multiple offenses on separate occasions. That could allow Darger and Barlow to face stiffer prison sentences if convicted since some of the counts could be seen as prior convictions.

Superior Court Judge Steven Conn granted the motion, saying the jury would eventually decide if the allegations have been proven.

The county attorney's office began its investigation in 2008, looking into the alleged misuse of the fire district's credit cards for personal use such as purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, discount department stores and food and lodging at an Idaho resort, which was claimed to be for fire training. The fire district money was allegedly deposited into the suspect's own bank account, which is illegal.
 
MohaveDailyNews.com
Originally published Monday, October 3, 2011
 
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