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BY TIFFANY DE MASTERS tdemasters@thespectrum.com The Spectrum | |||||
Officials in the polygamous community of Hildale and Colorado City are still not commenting about warrants served Tuesday alleging misuse of public funds by the fire department, even after an affidavit detailing the warrants was released by the Mohave County Attorney's Office Thursday morning. The affidavit included a Costco receipt that includes purchases made with a fire department credit card for more than $120 worth of smoked salmon, two spiral-cut hams and more than $200 worth of expensive chocolates and crepes. The purchases were made just before Christmas of 2007. Law enforcement from Mohave County, Ariz. and Washington County served the warrants Tuesday at four fire stations and two private residences in the polygamous community located along the Arizona Strip - the homes of Colorado City Fire Chief Jake Barlow and secretary/treasurer David Darger, both elected officials. The warrants were issued after a two-year investigation of Barlow and Darger that led to allegations of fraudulent schemes and misuse of public funds, including large expenditures. According to the affidavit, the Mohave County Attorney's Office launched the investigation in 2008 when it suspected the misuse of public funds by members of the Colorado City Fire District. The affidavit released Thursday includes the Mohave County Attorney's Office request for various documents from bank and credit card statements, invoices and records dealing with expenses and purchases by Barlow and Darger made with CCFD public monies beginning in September 2005 and concluding last June. In addition to purchases from local stores, Costco and Sam's Club, there were other purchases that included food, furniture, a trip to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho and gift cards. Records showed in December 2007 Barlow purchased about $1,500 in food from Sam's Club and Costco and that he spent $837 at local eateries. The affidavit showed in January 2008 about $537 was spent at Costco by Barlow in addition to about $1,460 of CCFD monies used at local eateries in Colorado City. The affidavit indicated CCFD has at least two bank accounts in addition to the County Treasurer's Warrant Account, where public monies are received from taxes. The bank accounts are U.S. Bank National Association and Far West Bank, Division of America West Bank. The records show Barlow and Darger periodically drew large checks off the CCFD Warrant Account and deposited them into the two bank accounts. According to the affidavit the bank accounts were used to pay for various expenses, including CCFD credit cards and public funds transferred from CCFD's County Warrant Account to these banks and appear to have been used for personal use. Deputy Attorney Jerry Jaeger from the Washington County Attorney's Office said the office has requested the warrant be unsealed and is waiting word from a judge at the 5th District Court. "At this point they (Mohave County) have all the evidence - they're going forward with the investigation at this point," he said. Jaeger said his office assisted in serving the warrant and if there were clear criminal actions then charges would be filed. Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith issued a press release stating: "Because the search warrant is part of an ongoing investigation, the county attorney's office cannot elaborate on the affidavit, nor comment on the execution of the warrant. "It will take a substantial amount of time to review the evidence obtained from the search warrant so charges, if any, cannot be filed for months." Attempts to contact the CCFD's lawyer, Mike Piccarreta went unanswered. According to the affidavit law enforcement spent all day Tuesday collecting these items relating to:
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TheSpectrum.com Originally published April 9, 2010 | |||||
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