DETROIT (WWJ) - Beverly Watts, the director of Wayne County's Public Services Division, has been replaced just days after two ex-employees were charged with milking $1.7 million from county funds.
WWJ Newsradio 950 was able to confirm Watt's last day was Friday, May 6; a committee meeting held on Tuesday in Detroit did not mention Watt's vacancy.
The Watts' position oversaw the Wayne County Roads Division, one of the largest departments in country.
Watt's ousting comes one week after two former Wayne County employees were arrested and charged with the fraudulent purchase of almost 600 generators and other power equipment which authorities said they sold for personal profit.
Related
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced the charges on May 3 against Kevin Gunn, 64, of West Bloomfield, and John L. Gibson, 54, of Detroit, who are accused of embezzling over $1.7 million in county funds.
A total of 596 generators and other power equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and backpack blowers were unlawfully acquired between January 2019, and August 2021, totaling $1.7 million in taxpayer funds, authorities said.
None of the purchases were authorized and none of the equipment was approved or used by Wayne County, officials said.
Federal investigators said the two men asked vendors to buy the equipment which was then sold online by Gunn and Gibson.
Gunn was employed by Wayne County for 34 years and managed the Bridge Unit of the Wayne County Roads Division. Gibson was a foreman within the Bridge Unit and worked for Wayne County for 20 years.
Related
