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A Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation employee has been suspended pending a police and county investigation of theft. County officials filed the police report Friday.
The employee, whom the county did not name in a prepared statement Friday, allegedly stole money provided by customers reserving park and recreation facility rentals. An analysis by the county’s human resources department revealed about $13,800 in improper discounts on facility rentals and $2,200 in unrecorded cash payments by customers for reservations.
According to an e-mailed statement sent to The Observer on Friday, the allegations were brought forward on June 7 to the Park and Recreation Department management by another department employee who was contacted by a customer about a prior reservation. A department analysis of reservation data raised questions that the employee was providing improper discounts for rentals. There were also insufficient funds recorded for reservations, according to the county.
The county’s human resources department began an internal investigation of the employee after the matter was reported to them on June 12.
“We are anxious for a criminal investigation to resolve questions and address any wrongdoing,” County Manager Harry Jones said in a statement. “I’m very appreciative of the Park and Recreation Department employee who brought this matter to our attention. We expect all employees to follow our code of ethics and to report any suspected unethical or illegal behavior.”
The Park and Recreation Department Director has implemented additional management oversight of all reservation transactions, pending further review by the Internal Audit Department on internal controls and practices.
