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Ex-state park manager is charged with theft |
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Written by Publisher
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Tuesday, 21 April 2009 |
Republican file photo
Barrett Clark, former manager of three area state parks, has been charged with theft and other counts for allegedly using a state credit to purchase items for his personal use. Based at the Bendigo State Park near Johnsonburg from 2002 until 2007, Clark also was the manager for the Kinzua Bridge State Park near Mt. Jewett and the Elk State Park near the East Branch Dam.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
The former manager of three area state parks faces four felony charges for alleging using a state credit card to purchase more than $7,300 in items for his personal use.
Barrett Niles Clark, 54, of Kennerdall, Venango County, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and restricted activities while a state employee.
According to court information, the improper use of the state credit card occurred between January 2004 and July 2007 while Clark was serving as park manager at Bendigo State Park near Johnsonburg.
The Bendigo State Park manager also is in charge of the Kinzua Bridge State Park near Mt. Jewett and the Elk State Park near the East Branch Dam.
Court records list items allegedly charged on the state credit card for personal use by Clark. Some of these items include:
•A dishwasher, which allegedly was installed at Clark’s personal residence in Kennerdall.
•Three stuffed animals.
•A cross-hair laser.
•Two pairs of binoculars-- one Nikon and one Stelner.
•A Carhartt Arctic vest.
•A Craftsman 39-piece tap and die set.
*A digital thermostat.
•A post puller.
•Two Craftsman wrench sets.
•Two Spyderco knives.
•A hose and regulator for a propane tank.
•Edgewater camp shoes.
•A metal detector.
•A liquid propane water heater.
•A pet taxi.
•Chain link fence.
*A Craftsman small engine repair kit.
*A Craftsman tool kit.
*A keel protector.
*A First Aid kit for use in a barn.
*A mechanic’s creeper.
*Three tarps.
*A miner’s light.
*One rescue vest.
*Storage bins.
*Two pairs of Muck shoes.
*A cell phone booster.
*Aluminum ramps.
According to court documents, there were 37 transactions in which Clark allegedly used a state credit card to buy items for his personal use. Court records show that some of the items were recovered at Clark’s residence in Kennerdall. Other items were found at Oil Creek State Park in Venango County, court documents indicate.
Clark was transferred from Bendigo to Oil Creek State Park in July 2007, according to court information. He began employment with the state Bureau of Parks in 1980, court records show.
Clark served as manager of Bendigo State Park, Kinzua State Park and Elk State Park from 2002 until his transfer to Oil Creek State Park in July 2007, according to court documents. Clark was in charge of Kinzua Bridge State Park when a tornado in July 2003 toppled the midsection of the Kinzua Railroad Bridge.
Dennis D. Dansak, senior special agent for the Pittsburgh regional office of the state Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, conducted the probe into the alleged misuse of the state credit card by Clark, court records show.
According to court documents, “Clark admitted the justification he wrote for many of the items were fabricated by him so he could purchase these items on the Commonwealth credit card, but use these items for his personal gain.”
Senior Deputy Attorney General Todd Goodwin filed the charges against Clark. According to court records, Franklin attorney John Lackatos is representing Clark.
According to court information, Clark waived his preliminary hearing before District Judge George “Tony” King of Johnsonburg. Clark also waived his formal arraignment earlier this month in Elk County Court, according to the county prothonotary’s office.
Clark is free on “unsecured” bail of $15,000 pending further legal proceedings in Elk County Court.
The state Attorney General’s office is prosecuting the case, according to the prothonotary’s office.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 June 2009 )
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