SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A former South Jordan City fleet manager faces felony charges for stealing city allocated money for personal use.
They said he took their gas card, and filled up his personal car, all on taxpayers' dime.
"It had been going on for a year and a half,” said Chip Dawson, City of South Jordan, Spokesperson.
A spokesperson with the City of South Jordan said their former fleet manager Jeremy Collins, spent more than $5,000 of taxpayer money to fill up his own car.
"I think it was a shock to a lot of people, to have these charges come forward, because it didn't seem to match the person most people know," said Dawson.
The City said Collins secretly took state issued gas cards, used them to fill up his personal cars at the Harmon’s Fuel Stop next to South Jordan City Hall, and then tried to doctor the receipts.
"It was something fishy that the numbers didn't add up, and that's what led to an investigation," Dawson said.
An inner-office audit caught the error. Now Collins is charged with misusing taxpayer dollars.
Today ABC 4 Reporter Brian Carlson went to Collins' home to see what he had to say for himself. His daughter answered the door.
"Hi, is your dad here?” Carlson asked.
“Yah," she said.
Carlson waited several minutes, and when Collins came to the door, he slammed it in Carlson’s face.
"I know you know we're here,” said Carlson.
“I know you know. I got no comment," Jeremy Collins said.
Collins may not have wanted to comment, but people who live near area sure did.
"I think it's terrible," said Marion Pettit, West Jordan resident.
"That's certainly wrong," said Kathy Anderson, South Jordan resident.
"They ought to just rack him up as much as they can," said Lynn Pettit, West Jordan resident.
The City wanted to assure Carlson, this is not a common practice for South Jordan employees.
"As a taxpayer I think it's important to remember these crimes don't go unpunished," said Dawson.
The City tells ABC 4 Collins has confessed to this crime and is now cooperating with police.
