Commissioner says untracked road plates were turned over to Indiana State Police; investigation includes alleged 'ghost employment'

Commissioners heard from highway staff about road-material transfers and equipment that arrived at the county highway garage without an interlocal agreement.

A commissioner said the plates – reported as delivered from JR Ward of Jeffersonville – were turned over to the Indiana State Police because the county wanted to avoid receiving stolen materials. “We don’t want to be receiving stolen equipment,” the commissioner said in open session and said he had turned the matter over to state police for investigation.

The same commissioner also said an investigation is under way into alleged 'ghost employment' concerning Mr. Ward. The board stated that the action was taken to clear Scott County of any wrongdoing while the state police investigate.

Highway staff separately presented annual-bid results and cost estimates for roadwork. Staff reported a chip-seal program for approximately 14.4 miles with a projected cost of roughly $178,000 and compared that to a 2-inch overlay estimate of about $750,000. The board voted to accept annual bids by motion and voice vote.

Board members discussed procurement of a used 10,000-gallon brine tank purchased via GovDeals for about $1,100 and noted logistical plans for retrieval. Commissioners said they will follow the state police investigation and will not speculate on outcomes until its completion.