Lang
12/15/22
The Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator has been arrested for theft.
That’s according to a news release issued Thursday night by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. It says on Tuesday, 66-year-old Larry Gene Smith was arrested for 2nd Degree Theft.
The Office of the State Auditor conducted an audit of the Keokuk County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) on February 10th of 2021. During the audit it was determined Smith, the county’s EMA Coordinator, was authorized by the Keokuk County Emergency Management Commission (EMC) to purchase a 2018 Chevy Silverado for the EMA. On September 5th of 2018, Smith traded in the agency’s 2006 Ford F-350 diesel truck for $800 to a Fleet Dealership. On September 5th of 2018, Smith purchased the F-350 from the Fleet Dealership for his personal use and ownership for $800. The vehicle was estimated to be valued at $6,600 to $14,400 based on Kelly Blue Book estimates.
The State Auditor’s Office stated because the trade-in amount received for the vehicle was less than its value, the EMA incurred additional costs. As part of their investigation, the State Auditor’s Office released its audit findings to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, the Keokuk County Attorney’s Office, the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation.
Due to the potential conflict of interest, Keokuk County Attorney Amber Thompson referred the case to the Washington County Attorney’s Office and to the Division of Criminal Investigation for additional investigation.
Smith resigned from his position with the county on Wednesday.