Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said street department superintendent Lacy Francis has resigned his position as a result of a preliminary investigation that uncovered billing irregularities.

At issue is “incomplete verification of work completed” pertaining to the city’s newly established Warsaw Storm-Water Utility. The billing issues were for previous storm-water projects, according to Thallemer.

The storm water utility, in the process of inventorying over 52 miles of aging storm-water lines, was working to determine the quantity of pipe that had been previously repaired and/or maintained. That request yielded information indicating that previous projects may have been overbilled.

The city was made aware of the potential problem on Dec. 23, 2013. The next day, an intense investigation was launched by the Warsaw Police Department at the direction of Thallemer. According to a press release, “That investigation has uncovered enough evidence of billing irregularities to corroborate the initial allegation.

“Preliminary information collected suggests billing documents were submitted by the contractor for underground storm water pipe projects that did not reflect work actually done. As the investigation progresses and yields clarity with factual information, the city will vigorously and aggressively seek resolution and full restitution from those involved.”

StaceyPageOnline.com will have a follow up to this story later today.