Published: April 28, 2007 12:23 am      

Monticello mayor arrested

MONTICELLO — The mayor of Monticello has been charged with theft, stemming from an ongoing investigation.

Mayor Robert E. Fox, 71, was arrested Friday evening on a warrant for 39 counts of theft, all class D felonies. The warrant was issued from White County Superior Court. Fox was apprehended at his home and incarcerated at the White County Jail, where his bond is set at $5,000.

In February, Indiana State Police Sgt. Tim Miller, of Peru Post, initiated a criminal investigation at the request of White County Prosecutor Robert Guy. Miller was asked to investigate alleged incidents of Fox submitting falsified mileage reimbursement claims.

During an 11-week investigation, Miller interviewed approximately 47 individuals working for 27 different organizations. The investigation revealed that Fox allegedly submitted 39 falsified claims for mileage reimbursement. The claims were reportedly for events he did not attend or provide his own transportation to.

According to a news release from the ISP, Peru Post, Fox was purportedly reimbursed $2,482.83 by the City of Monticello for falsified claims submitted during the three-year period of 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Monticello is located in the area covered by the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post, however, Peru Post was called to investigate the case. It is customary for the state police to assign investigators who do not have an everyday working relationship with the parties being investigated in a particular case.

Miami County Prosecutor Eric Huneryager is the special prosecutor assigned to this case.