Dade City Fire Inspector Fired for Purchasing Appliances Using Fraudulent City Credit Card
AUBERNDALE, Florida (FloridaToday.news) — A Dade City official was handcuffed after buying $2,200 worth of new kitchen appliances, police said.
Douglas True, 61, of Auburndale, was arrested at City Hall on Thursday morning on a warrant for grand theft.
On May 20, a Dade City fire inspector purchased a number of items from Lowe’s in Auburndale, including a refrigerator/freezer, ice maker, stove, microwave, and assorted power cords, according to Auburndale police.
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According to Auburndale Police Chief Terry Story, the $2,265.99 worth of items were paid for using a business credit account that True opened in the name of the city of Dade City without the city’s permission.
“The girl at Low who served him said she particularly remembers the incident because it’s not often that people come to Low and ask to open an account for the city of Dade City,” Storey added.
According to police, the delivery confirmation report indicated that the appliances were delivered on May 29 to an Auburndale address belonging to True’s deceased parents.
“It makes you wonder where [his] the mind is there. Do you think you can get away with something like this? The City of Dade City will eventually get the bill,” Chief Story said. “You might think that a city employee or city official knows better.”
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That’s exactly what happened, according to city manager Leslie Porter.
“The city of Dade City became aware of a fraudulent credit card that was activated in the name of the city earlier this month after receiving a bill,” Porter said.
Auburndale detectives said True was taken to the Pasco County Jail on grand larceny charges and will be extradited to Polk County.
According to Porter, True has since been sidelined from his role. He has been working in Dade City since 2011.
News Channel 8 reached out to True for comment.
