Former Morgantown Street Superintendent Sentenced to Federal Prison

INDIANAPOLIS—Paul A. Ford, 33, Morgantown, Indiana, was sentenced to 16 months in prison today by U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney following his guilty plea to mail fraud, announced Timothy M. Morrison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana State Police.

Ford was appointed as the Street Superintendent for the Town of Morgantown on January 1, 2005, and held that position until February 13, 2008. Morgantown is a municipality located in Morgan County.

Acting in his capacity as Morgantown Street Superintendent, Ford rented a John Deere Excavator and a John Deere Dozer from Holt Equipment Company LLC, a company located in Indianapolis. The John Deere Excavator was rented between March 1, 2005 through July 1, 2005, at a cost of $22,086.00. The John Deere Dozer was rented between February 10, 2005 and March 1, 2005, at a cost of $3,974.50. Ford also rented a Caterpillar 2 Track-Type Tractor from Indianapolis-based MacAllister Machinery Company Inc. The Caterpillar 2 Track-Type Tractor was rented between March 25, 2005 through May 11, 2005 at a cost of $14,648.00. This equipment was rented under the guise that it was to be utilized for Morgantown business.

However, during the winter, spring and summer of 2005, Ford utilized this heavy equipment to excavate two ponds on the property of a resident of Morgantown. The property owner paid Ford $19,500.91 for this excavation. The Morgantown Clerk Treasurer made five payments to Holt Equipment Company LLC and two payments to MacAllister Machinery Company Inc. totaling $40,708.50 for the use of this equipment. Ford made no reimbursement to the town for the use of this equipment.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge McKinney also imposed three years supervised release following Ford’s release from prison. Ford was ordered to make restitution to the Town of Morgantown in the amount of $40,708.50.