BERLIN – Officials in the Town of Delmar have not yet made a decision regarding the future of Town Manager Jeff Fleetwood.
After Fleetwood pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Worcester County District Court last month, officials in Delmar, the municipality that hired him after he retired from the role of town administrator in Berlin, met to discuss his continued employment. A decision on whether he will continue in the role has not yet been made, according to a statement shared on social media.
“The Town of Delmar expects to diligently consider all available information and expects to make a decision about Mr. Fleetwood in a timely manner,” the statement reads.
Fleetwood, who worked in Berlin for about a decade and spent three years as town administrator, pleaded guilty to embezzlement last month and paid the town full restitution in the amount of $17,530. Judge Gerald Purnell sentenced him to six months in jail with all but one month, which Fleetwood will serve in home detention, suspended. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of community service.
Fleetwood was initially charged with six counts of forgery of private documents, theft $1,500 to under $25,000 and theft scheme $1,500 to under $25,000. The felony charges related to discrepancies in Fleetwood’s leave balances, which he was paid for when he left Berlin. The statement of charges outlined how 240 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of vacation had been added to Fleetwood’s leave and earning statement.
Simply decision here people…..termination. No resignation.
How will his status as a convicted embezzler affect his ability to be ‘bonded’ at his new job? Isn’t being bonded a routine requirement for that kind of job, especially on a public payroll?
Delmar may be sending a signal that they’d welcome a resignation, before actually requesting one. Mayor and council are on the hook if they don’t address the issue promptly now that the Berlin case has been adjudicated with a conviction.
They better hold off. It’s beyond me why they ever hired a thief in the first place.
Doesn’t say much for Delmar, does it?