CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A special investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, in conjunction with the Clarksville Police Department, has found that former materials management technician Tony Hams allegedly stole at least $47,518 from Clarksville Gas and Water.

According to a news release, Hams is accused of stealing the money over a five-year period by making online personal purchases using a gas and water department purchasing card (P-card). Hams bought children’s clothing, Oakley sunglasses, health and beauty products, a bow and arrow kit, and many other items for his personal benefit.

Officials said Hams concealed his theft by fabricating invoices and requisition forms. He also logged fictitious items into the gas and water department’s inventory records. All of the personal charges on the P-card were paid with gas and water department funds.

Tony Hams was terminated from Clarksville Gas and Water on January 26, 2016. On June 6, 2016, the Montgomery County Grand Jury indicted him on three counts of theft over $10,000, one count of official misconduct, and ten counts of forgery.

“This theft was allowed to continue for several years because Mr. Hams was responsible for both ordering and receiving inventory items,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “It is important that supervisors carefully scrutinize invoices and verify that all items that are ordered and received are for legitimate business purposes.”

Clarksville Gas and Water Department officials have indicated they have corrected the deficiencies in the department’s financial processes.

The City of Clarksville issued the following statement:
“A former employee of Clarksville Gas and Water, Mr. Tony Hams, has been arrested on numerous criminal charges stemming from improper use of a city credit card. The City of Clarksville Gas and Water Department recognized inconsistencies in certain purchases by Mr. Hams during our normal review process. We performed a more thorough analysis and determined that Mr. Hams had been making personal purchases on his city issued credit card. Mr. Hams was terminated from employment with the City.

The City contacted local law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Comptroller of the State of Tennessee and reported our findings. The Comptroller’s Office then conducted the investigation that lead to Mr. Ham’s indictment and ultimate arrest.

Immediately after the discovery of the incident, Clarksville Gas and Water undertook an extensive review and implemented additional internal controls to strengthen our system of checks and balances and enhanced our process regarding segregation of duties to prevent future occurrences.

Clarksville Gas and Water intends to seek restitution of the loss from Mr. Hams.”