Ex-tech director: Innocent of theft

FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County’s former information-technology director pleaded innocent Wednesday to theft of county property.

John Adams, 56, of 3906 W. Easy St. in Rogers was arrested Feb. 13. He is free without bond.

Adams resigned in January after being put on administrative leave, County Attorney Brian Lester said in February. Lester said at the time that he didn’t know the date of Adams’ resignation.

Lester did not answer questions emailed to him.

Police suspect that more than $30,000 worth of county equipment is missing or unaccounted for, spokesman Sgt. Anthony Murphy said in a message Wednesday.

Attorney Joel Huggins, who represents Adams, said Wednesday that he didn’t want to comment on the case.

Adams started working for the county in 2010. He was earning $95,000 a year, according to county records.

The information systems director runs and maintains county technology, including handling Internet problems, internal systems, telephones and application servers. Adams managed seven employees and a budget of about $1 million, according to county records. Sidney Reynolds, who worked under Adams, has since been promoted to director.

Police opened an investigation Jan. 11 into how Adams handled his county purchasing card, invoices and county equipment, according to a preliminary arrest report. Fayetteville police said it appeared Adams made some personal purchases on a card issued for county purchases. In some instances, the addresses on invoices were changed from Adams’ personal address to the courthouse before being submitted to the county, according to the report.

The Benton County prosecutor’s office is handling the case against Adams to avoid conflict of interest, but the case will remain in Washington County Circuit Court. The next hearing is set for June 5.