A man has been indicted on charges of theft after allegedly stealing more than $47,000 from Clarksville Gas and Water.
Tony Hams, a former materials management technician with Clarksville Gas and Water, was indicted June 6 on three counts of theft over $1,000, one count of official misconduct, and ten counts of forgery.
According to a special investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and the Clarksville Police Department, Hams stole at least $47,518 from Clarksville Gas and Water.
Reports stated Hams took the money over a five-year period. He allegedly made online personal purchases using a gas and water department purchasing card.
Authorities said Hams purchased children’s clothes, Oakley sunglasses, health and beauty products, a bow and arrow kit, and other items for personal use.
Officials said he concealed these acts by fabricating invoices and requisition forms. The investigation also found he logged fictitious items into the department’s inventory records.
On January 26, Hams was fired from Clarksville Gas and Water.
“This theft was allowed to continue for several years because Mr. Hams was responsible for both ordering and receiving inventory items,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “It is important that supervisors carefully scrutinize invoices and verify that all items that are ordered and received are for legitimate business purposes.”
According to those at Clarksville Gas and Water, the deficiencies have been corrected.
Click here to view the full investigation.
