Three Port Arthur streets department employees were fired Wednesday after an investigation indicated the trio had stolen gas on city-issued Fuelman cards.

City Manager Brian McDougal said an investigation into the theft allegations started about a month ago, and three employees, Carlton Edwards, Steve Guidry and Randall Davis, were placed on administrative leave.

This week, after results of that investigation were received, the trio admitted they had stolen fuel by using the city-issued gas cards.

McDougal fired the three employees on Wednesday.

“They are fired, they are gone,” he said.

Edwards was a superintendent in the streets department.

McDougal said a Fuelman car is much like a gas credit card with a pin number. Typically, when a city truck is issued to an employee the vehicle comes with a Fuelman card.

Parameters are set on the card where only so much fuel can be used, or that only 87 percent octane is purchased, etc.

McDougal said individual departments are supposed to check to make sure the parameters are not abused, but that did not happen in this case.

McDougal said there is a possibility that others might be involved.

“There is more to this investigation,” McDougal said. “These are the three that got in early trouble.”

McDougal said he does not yet know how much gas was stolen.

The matter has been turned over the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

Twitter: skoonce@panews.com