The former head of the public works department in Nashville faces embezzlement charges after authorities found that he altered receipts and made unauthorized purchases with a town credit card.
Brian Grice embezzled around $7,500 in public funds with a town-issued credit card, according to Nashville police.
Other WRAL Top Stories
On Aug. 22, the Nashville town manager and finance director contacted police about suspicious financial transactions and asked investigators to look into the matter. The initial report was centered around a purchase at Target with the town-issued card. Investigators found irregularities with the receipt of the purchase. After an extensive review, authorities said they discovered Grice consistently used tactics to avoid being caught over a period of time.
On Wednesday morning, Nashville police and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Grice's home. He was taken into custody.
Grice was issued a $25,000 secured bond and is set to appear in court on Thursday. He also faces a charge of accessing computers.
The warrant also said Grice used the accounting software to conceal fraudulent purchases and submitted modified receipts into the town's system.
A warrant reads: "The defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did embezzle and corruptly use and misapply approximately $7,527.98 in public funds by making unauthorized purchases with a town issued credit card, property belonging to Town of Nashville."
“The Nashville Police Department is committed not only to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens, but also to holding accountable those who abuse positions of public trust,” said Chief C. Shockley. “White-collar crimes such as these undermine the confidence of the taxpayers, and it is our duty to see that justice is pursued to the fullest extent of the law.”