Two former Piney Township officials were charged Monday with stealing from public coffers.
Former board President Roger L. Martin and former board member Jackie A. Cooper were each charged Monday with felonies by Texas County Prosecutor Mike Anderson. Martin’s son is charged with a misdemeanor.
Martin and Cooper, both 51, resigned in July following news of a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation into financial irregularities uncovered by a township employee.
Martin is accused of stealing $26,292, according to documents filed Dec. 4 by the patrol. Cooper is charged with taking about $9,450. Both are accused of using a Shell Fleet credit card for personal use.
Martin’s bond is set at $325,000; Cooper’s at $150,000. (In a hearing Tuesday for Cooper, Judge Ronald White was assigned and bond was reduced to $75,000 for Cooper).
Martin turned himself in to authorities Monday and is free on bond. Cooper, who was arrested late Tuesday morning, was expected to post bond. Martin’s son, Jason L. Martin, 22, of Houston, is charged with stealing less than $500, a misdemeanor.
Piney Township officials said among the documents reviewed by the state patrol are invoices related to credit card transactions using cards first issued in December 2006. The remaining board members Pam McKinney and Diana Hill said they were unaware of the existence of four cards and knew of any two used by the township’s two workers. Bewildered by the allegation, McKinney seized paperwork in the township’s office, and Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol assigned an investigator to the case, according to those familiar with the investigation.
In its finding, a state investigator said Martin told the treasurer earlier that a $100 monthly fee paid to the township board members was being reduced to $25 and “they would make up the difference in fuel.” The patrol said Cooper told Presiding Commissioner Fred Stenger that he used the gas as payment for extra hours he was working for the township.
PDF: Probable cause statements on case