Prosecutor: Warren Workers Caught Misusing City Funds

WARREN (WWJ) - Four men employed with the City of Warren's Department of Public Works are charged with embezzlement after allegedly using city-owned Home Depot credit cards for personal use.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith says the four men used cards to buy multiple items, including vinyl fencing, dog runs, multiple power tools and pumps.  He said the items turned up in a search of the employees' homes.

"These were obviously trusted employees and given a Home Depot credit card because the city trusted them, and they obviously abused that trust," Smith said.

Smith said he was surprised these men didn't realize that they would get caught.

" ... When you're using a credit card and buying things that aren't used for your job description, there's always a paper trail," he said. "We have a whole department here that just tracks down paper trails."

The four men are on leave from their jobs as the investigation continues.

They are expected in court later this week.  No names have been released.