Fairview mayor facing charges of stealing, misconduct w/ probable-cause affidavit

By Derek Spellman

dspellman@joplinglobe.com

FAIRVIEW, Mo. — The mayor of Fairview has been charged with two counts of felony stealing and one count of misdemeanor official misconduct in an investigation by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.

Sid Oliver, 57, was free after posting a $5,000 cash-only bond on Thursday afternoon. He was arrested earlier in the day by deputies.

The charges stem from allegations that Oliver, an unpaid mayor, not only received compensation from the city for work that included street repairs and building maintenance, but also that he might not have performed some of the work that he claimed to have done, according to Sheriff Ken Copeland.

Oliver is accused of receiving a total of $20,579 in compensation from the city from 2007 until Oct. 30 this year, according to a probable-cause affidavit. He also is accused of instructing the city clerk to reduce his water bill, to reflect “labor,” for a total of $1,824.13 over at least several years, and of using a city debit card for personal expenses of an unspecified amount.

Oliver declined to comment on the case and on his future as mayor when he was contacted by the Globe on Thursday, citing advice from his attorney. He also declined to identify the attorney.

The misdemeanor misconduct charge is based on state laws that impose limits on how much compensation Oliver, as an unpaid mayor, may receive. That limit is $500 per transaction, or a total of $5,000 per year, unless the work is done after competitive bidding with proper public notice and the bid is the lowest submitted.

The two counts of stealing by deceit stem from allegations that Oliver falsely claimed to have done some work for the city, according to the complaint.

Oliver last week told the Globe that he was unaware of the state statutes governing the compensation.

He previously denied accusations that he received any breaks on his water bill and that he used the city credit card for personal use.

“We’ve got all the credit card receipts, and I can vouch for everything I have spent,” the mayor said last week.

Copeland, the sheriff, said the department’s investigation is continuing.

“We have subpoenaed different financial records,” he said. “The investigation will continue.”

One condition of Oliver’s bond, according to Copeland, is that he had to surrender any credit cards, debit cards and “banking instruments” he had on behalf of the city of Fairview. He also is prohibited from spending any money or obligating any money on behalf of the city without first securing the approval of the City Council.