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PRESS RELEASE 08/13/2008

HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR JOSEPH T. DETERS ANNOUNCES THE INDICTMENT OF HAMILTON COUNTY ENGINEER'S EMPLOYEE AARON FAIRBANKS

Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of 46 year old Bond Hill resident Aaron Fairbanks on charges of 2 counts of Theft in Office (F3, F4), 2 counts of Unauthorized Use of Property (F4, F5), Tampering with Records (F3) and Bribery (F3). These charges carry a possible sentence of 6 months to 5 years incarceration with a possible maximum sentence of 19 years incarceration.

Fairbanks, a Purchasing Agent in the Engineer's Office, has worked in the office for 24 years. He is accused of misappropriating nearly $30,000.

Between January - June 2008, Fairbanks is accused of stealing construction funds that were placed in two separate escrow accounts under the control of the Hamilton County Engineer's Office. Between December 2006 - February 2007, he is also accused of trying to bribe a contractor with the promise of obtaining a government contract.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters commented, "Handling public money is a sacred trust. County Engineer Bill Brayshaw and his office recognized this and immediately came to investigators when they believed something was wrong."

Hamilton County Engineer Bill Brayshaw said, "Stealing public money from my office will never be tolerated. We turned to investigators as soon as we became aware of the situation. I look forward to a speedy resolution in the courts that will bring justice to the citizens of Hamilton County."