After a months long investigation, we believe we’re inching toward new information regarding a city of McLeansboro employee who allegedly stole more than $100,000 worth of equipment, tools, and chemicals that belong to the city. The story broke in late April when WROY/WRUL News was covering a specially called meeting following inaction at a regular meeting the week prior. We’ve learned information recently from sources close to the situation that leads us to believe new developments and potential action is coming soon.
At that April 23rd meeting, it was allegedly discussed that James Joiner, the former Light Plant Foreman, had purportedly stolen or taken advantage of somewhere in the neighborhood of $123,000 worth of city assets. That alleged crime took place over at least a couple years. We were also told that Aldmerman Don Cox moved to immediately terminate Joiner at that meeting, but no second was ever made. It was also speculated at the time that the city had hired an investigator who ostensibly provided the council with more than 60 pages worth of documents.
Since that time, our Freedom of Information Requests have been shot down due to the ongoing investigation. We do know that Joiner was placed on administrative leave immediately at the conclusion of that last April special meeting. The city also has ceased, at least temporarily, all business dealings with a handful of businesses it’s fair to assume were either taken advantage of or involved in the alleged theft.
We now believe that investigation is wrapping up and are comfortable reporting we believe it could be just days before potential criminal charges are filed and the public may finally learn a little bit more about what has been going on with regards to the situation.
