A Faribault County Highway Department employee on paid leave is no longer on the payroll.
County Attorney Troy Timmerman says Mark Adams’ last day of employment was on May 3.
Timmerman and Central Services director Dawn Fellows would not say whether Adams was fired or if he resigned.
Adams was placed on paid leave after being charged with four counts of possession of stolen property; two felonies, a gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor.
“I can’t comment on it,” says Commissioner John Roper. “I was instructed by our attorney Troy Timmerman of what I can tell you – ‘No comment.’”
Roper is chairman of the County Board and also serves on the Personnel Committee.
Fellows in the past has said that a complaint had been filed and it was being investigated, but she would say if it was related to the criminal charges.
If Adams was fired, he could file an appeal through his union and that may involve a lengthy process.
Roper says “until it (the issue) is a past event” no details will be made public.
Adams is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on May 22.
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.