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PCSSD employee accused of stealing money from district

Reported by: Kelly Dudzik
Email: kdudzik@fox16.com
Last Update: 5/22/2009 8:29 am
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The Pulaski County Special School District maintenance supervisor is out of jail accused of stealing more than $100,000 in taxpayer money to feed a drug habit.

The Saline County prosecutor accuses James Diemer of running a cross-county scam by buying tools and equipment with your tax money and selling them to support a very expensive drug addiction.

FOX16’s Kelly Dudzik wanted to talk to Diemer about his arrest, but when she started walking up to his Hensley home, a man took off on a four wheeler.  With the dogs outside unleashed, Dudzik thought someone might be home, but no one answered the door.

FOX16 did catch up with PCSSD Board President Tim Clark who called for a legislative audit after rumors started flying. 

"Why would you need a sea-doo for a school district?" asked Dudzik.

"I had no idea that a sea-doo was one of the items on the list.  Unfortunately, again, this is a personnel issue, and I will say that we are very fortunate to have discovered something like this," says Clark.
 
At Diemer's home, FOX16 spotted the first thing on the evidence list, a red metal canopy garage and a Milwaukee power charger.

Diemer even admits to prosecutors using his work car to drive things to Mayflower, Conway, Sherwood and Little Rock.  Prosecutors say when confronted by investigators, Diemer said, "I know why you're here.  I've done wrong."

A court document shows Diemer admits buying more than $100,000 worth of equipment with district funds since 1998 to re-sell for drug money.  He says he got hooked on hydrocodone and oxycoton after a car crash. 

"I hope if that is the case that he's able to get help, but again we have to make sure that we're spending our money wisely and we know where that money is all the time," says Clark.

This investigation is far from over.  The Saline County prosecutor told FOX16 his office is still sorting through all of the evidence.  This list could very easily grow. 

Right now, Diemer is on leave charged with theft by receiving.  Clark says the district will change its policies to put checks and balances in place.
Copyright 2009 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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