Port Arthur’s assistant water utilities director has been arrested in connection with criminal wrongdoing while employed by the city.

John Tomplait was arrested and formally charged Wednesday by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and the Port Arthur Police Department, according to a press statement released by District Attorney Bob Wortham’s office.

Tomplait is charged with two counts of theft of metal by a public servant involving five separate incidents of metal theft. Each charge is a third degree felony offense, punishable two to five years in prison.

The stolen metal was property belonging to the city of Port Arthur Water Department under Tomplait’s control.

His bond is set at $24,000.

Wortham said the investigation into public corruption, whether it be at the county, city or any other level, is not over.

“Some people do not realize that city funds are public funds. You cannot steal from the city, county or any other governmental agency and we are going to do everything we can to make sure we put a stop to people that work for the city, the county or any other government agency who are stealing,” Wortham said.

“It is taxpayer money and taxpayers don’t like people walking off with taxpayer money. We are going to keep going with the investigation; it is not going to stop today. Anyone stealing from the city or county, or any other government agency, the smartest thing to do is to come talk to us.”

Anyone with information on crimes involving public integrity issues or public integrity crimes in the city of Port Arthur is urged to call Lt. M. Blitch at the Port Arthur Police Department or the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office and speak to an investigator in the Public Integrity Division.

E-mail:sherry.koonce@panews.com

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