By SYDNEY KENT
A former Clean Fuel National employee is facing one to six years in prison after he embezzled thousands of dollars from the company credit card.
Dakota Patrick Thompson, 29, Sweetser, pled guilty to one charge of corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony, in the Wells Circuit Court earlier this month. Four counts of theft, a Level 6 felony, were dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the Wells County Sheriff’s Department received a report in February. An employee from the company reported that Thompson accumulated unauthorized charges in the amount of $16,936.85.
Michael Vanover, the owner of Clean Fuel National, is also a Wells County Commissioner. Due to potential conflicts of interest, the case was referred to the Indiana State Police. A prosecutor from a different jurisdiction, Jeremy Kenneth Nix, from Huntington, is also being used for this case.
When Thompson was confronted by management at Clean Fuel National, he agreed to repay the money. He also said his girlfriend was responsible for the charges on the card.
Thompson then arranged a payment plan, created in agreement with Clean Fuel National, after he was confronted with the charges. However, he stopped making payments. Thompson still owes $15,386.35.
A sentencing hearing for this case is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the Wells Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
