The former general manager of the South Adams Water and Sanitation District won’t face criminal charges for his questionable use of the district’s credit card from 2001 to 2004, the Adams County district attorney said Wednesday.
Both the Commerce City Police Department and an accounting firm hired by the district investigated the conduct of Larry Lee Ford Sr. during his tenure as general manager, said District Attorney Don Quick. Ford, of Henderson, is currently a district board member.
A review by Quick’s office showed a lack of evidence that Ford knowingly committed theft or embezzlement of public property.
There was, however, evidence of lax oversight by the district over how Ford used his district card, Quick said.
“Although there is a history of credit-card purchases that residents and taxpayers of the district may have serious questions about, there is insufficient evidence concerning Larry Ford’s lack of authority to make such purchases,” Quick said.
Ford could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In his report, Quick noted the district has since tightened its policies for travel and other business-related expenses.
The investigation focused on:
• Ford spending nearly $15,000 on meals using the district’s credit card.
• Ford attending a conference in Washington, D.C., and taking a side trip to Lancaster County, Pa., and charging the district.
• Ford traveling to and from a conference in Las Vegas, paid for by the district.
• Ford paying for his spouse to attend the conference in Washington.
• Ford using the district’s credit cards for purchases from Western Legends, a company owned by Ford’s wife, totaling $6,190.
• Several purchases in Wyoming totaling more than $1,000.
In every instance, there were no policies concerning the use of the credit card. The district board also approved the expenditures and did not tell him to stop, Quick said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
