From Deseret News archives:
No word on fate of fleet chief
Public Works Director John Patterson remained tight-lipped on exactly what charges were being levied against Morgan in the internal investigation but said Mayor Peter Corroon will make a final decision soon on whether to fire or simply reprimand the fleet director.
Although that decision was supposed to be made Friday, Morgan said the investigation was still ongoing and he could not comment until it had been finished. Morgan's paid leave was set to expire Friday, but he will stay off the job until the probe is over, he said.
County officials likewise said they could not comment on the personnel matter.
"We just chatted with him about some of the allegations," Patterson said.
Those allegations likely include falsifying travel vouchers and using county time and resources for personal use, two charges Morgan said had been mentioned when he was put on leave in early May.
Several of the allegations against Morgan may have been turned up in the course of an investigation of the entire county fleet system, which concluded there was a need for a "massive overhaul" of the department.
But Morgan said no county officials or attorneys from the district attorney's office had contacted him about the allegations before meetings with him on Thursday and Friday.
"No one has spoken to me about anything. I really have no idea. I'm at a total loss," Morgan said before his hearing Thursday with Patterson.
A request from Corroon's office initiated the investigation after tips came in about potential wrongdoing by Morgan, chief administrative officer Doug Willmore said. Though the case began as an internal personnel matter, the district attorney's office could press criminal charges based on the findings.
E-mail: estewart@desnews.com
