Until now, Faribault County officials have been reluctant to comment on the employment status of a highway department employee facing criminal charges.
But, county commissioner Greg Young was pretty straightforward when asked.
“It’s no secret. He’s on paid leave and he has not been terminated yet,” says Greg Young. “We’re waiting for the outcome of different investigations.”
Mark A. Adams, 59, of Winnebago faces two felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor counts of possession of stolen property.
Central Services director Dawn Fellows says a complaint has been filed and is being investigated. She would not say if it is related to the criminal charges.
Adams made his first court appearance on Monday and an omnibus hearing was set for April 17.
He is accused of allegedly stealing a welder extender cable, 100-gallon fuel tank with pump, road grader shield and a leveling box scraper. Value of the items range from at least $500 to more than $1,000 but less than $5,000.
The felony charges carry a maximum of five years in prison and $10,000 fine, while the gross misdemeanor is one year in jail and a $3,000 fine and the misdemeanor is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
According to a court complaint, county officials were conducting an employment investigation involving Adams last January. They suspected timecard issues and installed a GPS unit on his work vehicle.
As a result of information gather, says the complaint, the sheriff’s department contacted the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Department to investigate possible stolen county property in Adams’ possession.