Maumee city employee resigns amid theft charges

7/28/2014

A city of Maumee employee has submitted his resignation following two charges of theft in office filed against him last week for using city funds to purchase gasoline for his personal use.

David Theaker, 53, a supervisor in the service division, was charged with two fifth-degree felonies in Maumee Municipal Court on July 24 — theft in office by a public official, and theft of property owned by the municipal corporation.

He will next appear in Maumee Municipal Court on Aug. 4 for an arraignment. The city council is expected to receive his resignation at its meeting the same day.

“It‘‍s very disappointing,” Maumee Mayor Richard Carr said. “He was a good person as far as the stuff he’‍s done in the community.”

Mayor Carr said Mr. Theaker was suspended on July 23, following a conversation with police about their investigation, and voluntarily submitted his resignation the same day.

Going back at least as far as June 9, Mr. Theaker has been purchasing gas ostensibly intended for his city of Maumee vehicle and taking it home in 5-gallon gas containers for his personal use, while charging the gas to the city.

He told police he had been using the stolen gas to fuel his children’‍s cars, according to a report filed by Maumee Police Lt. Jeffrey Siebenaler.

The city is carrying out an audit to determine how long Mr. Theaker‘‍s theft has been going on.

Mr. Theaker is also a Maumee Board of Education member, and board President Stephanie Piechowiak indicated that there would be an opportunity to discuss his case at the board’‍s regularly scheduled meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at 716 Askin St., Maumee.