Former General Manager of Valley Metro Pleads Guilty
Dave Morgan Admits to Stealing Government Funds

ROANOKE, VA—The former general manager of Valley Metro Transit pleaded guilty this morning in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke to charges that he stole government funds.

Dave Morgan, 46, of Roanoke, Virginia, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty this morning to one count of theft of government funds. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

“Mr. Morgan took money intended to support the daily operations of Valley Metro and misused it to buy himself rounds of golf and expensive dinners, cigars, and gift cards,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “He stole government money to enrich himself and his friends. For these repeated acts of greed, he has justly been held accountable. This case demonstrates the Department of Justice’s vigilance in ensuring public funds are used for their intended purposes.”

Morgan admitted today that while working as the general manager for Valley Metro, he utilized company credit cards to make inappropriate charges to purchase food, alcohol, and travel expenses. Valley Metro receives operating and capital grant funding from federal agencies, including the Federal Transit Administration.

Between July 1, 2007 and June 20, 2008, Morgan admitted to charging $13,251 for meals, 45 percent of which was spent on alcohol at those meals. The defendant also admitted to charging $860 for golfing fees, $171 for cigars, and $170 in gift cards.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Transportation, the Virginia State Police, and the City of Roanoke Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Charlene Day and C. Patrick Hogeboom, III are prosecuting the case for the United States.