By Paul Giblin and Caitlin McGlade | The Arizona Republic
A former Glendale city manager and several other top administrators may have committed crimes by mismanaging millions of dollars in public money involving an employee retirement program, according to a city-funded legal analysis.
Former City Manager Ed Beasley and other top officials may have broken a state law that bars public employees from knowingly mishandling public funds, a Class 4 felony, according to the report that was prepared by a team of attorneys, accountants and computer experts, and obtained by The Arizona Republic from a source with access to the report.
The legal analysis notes that evidence would have to pass a high bar to lead to criminal charges. “The evidence must show criminal liability beyond a reasonable doubt. This intentionally high standard is necessary due to draconian penalties,” it says. The “possible criminal actions” are punishable by one to nearly four years in prison, the document says.
