7:17 PM
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We now know the reason that Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek dropped stealing charges against a former City of Nixa employee.

David Griggs, (a.) who worked in the street department in Nixa was charged in federal court yesterday in a sealed indictment alleging that he embezzled close to $10,000 from the city. That indictment was unsealed today.

The federal criminal complaint alleges that Griggs created a fictitious business named Airborne Specialist with the Missouri Secretary of States office to steal $9,858 from the city of Nixa on Nov. 10, 2005.

Griggs, who was employed in the city street department from Nov. 6, 2003, to Feb. 8, 2006, allegedly obtained funds by invoicing the city for goods that were never provided.

On Oct. 15, 2005, the city of Nixa approved a $9,858 purchase order from Airborne Specialists (a name that Griggs used interchangeably with his registered business name) for 6,200 pounds of Davies Ultra Melt snow and ice remover.

The feds say that product was never delivered to the city.


Former Nixa Street Supervisor Larry Covington (a.) and his wife Paula are still facing state charges related to the scheme that cost the city more than $750,000.

No word yet if the state charges against the Covington's will be dropped so that the feds can step in and charge the couple.

Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri Matt Whitworth said, “Today’s federal criminal complaint is part of an ongoing investigation,” adding, “We anticipate this case will be presented to a grand jury, therefore, we are not able to provide any further details about the investigation. Grand jury deliberations are confidential, which prevents our office from making any additional comments at this time.”

To read the federal charge against Griggs, click here.

To read an FBI agent's affidavit used as the basis of the charge, click here.

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

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