(Tama County, IA) -- A special investigation reveals a former conservation director in eastern Iowa may have misspent more than $75,000 in county funds.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand reports that from March 2021 through August 2023, Tama County Conservation Director Stephen Mayne made several improper and unsupported personal purchases including a fuel pump, 50 rounds of ammunition, fuel from Casey's, ink cartridges and a battery.
The investigation was prompted after department officials discovered certain transactions made by the former director.
According to Sand, Mayne was able to make these purchases and review his own receipts and statements since the maintenance director had reportedly left the job in October 2021, removing a layer of oversight and allowing the purchases to be made without oversight from staff.
Sand reports there wasn't proper documentation so he was not able to determine if the roughly $76,864 was used for personal use or the counties projects.
Mayne has since been placed on administrative leave and has left the department.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Attorney General's Office are continuing to investigate.