Carbon County sheriff faces felony charges connected with move to St. George

CARBON COUNTY – The Utah Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday that a Utah sheriff is facing felony charges after an investigation into alleged misuse of public money and equipment.

Carbon County Sheriff James Cordova is accused of using county-issued vehicles and a county credit card to move personal belongings from his home in Carbon County to a home he bought in St. George, according to a probable cause statement filed by Special Agent R. Ed Spann, of the Utah Attorney General’s Office. (See ed. note)

Cordova allegedly used a county truck and a Search and Rescue trailer to haul his belongings to St. George between Dec. 16, 2013, and April 13 of this year. He also allegedly used a county credit card 26 times to buy gas in Carbon, Sevier, Beaver, Iron and Washington counties during that time.

The sheriff has been charged with a third-degree felony for misuse of public money, a third-degree felony for alleged theft, and a class-C misdemeanor for an alleged license plate and registration card violation.

“The AG’s office is extremely supportive of law enforcement and works closely and effectively with Sheriffs’ offices throughout the state,” Attorney General Sean Reyes said. “At the same time, allegations of breaching the public trust are a serious matter and our office has worked diligently and professionally to investigate and file charges on Sheriff Cordova’s alleged wrongdoings.”

“The Sheriff is presumed innocent,” Reyes added, “and people should allow the legal process to take its course without prejudging him or his alleged actions.”

Sheriff Cordova has been summoned to appear in the 7th District Court in Price on Jan. 12 and will be booked in Emery County.

Ed. note: Sheriff Cordova has been charged but not arrested. Correction made.

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6 Comments

  • ladybugavenger December 5, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    Who’s money did he use to buy the house in St George?

  • norman December 5, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    He was pretty brazen about using the county credit card and police equipment. You only do that when you believe that you won’t be caught, because no one has ever been caught before. My questions are, how many times have people in his department done the same thing? And how often has he done similar things? It’s time to go back and investigate this further.

    • modigliani December 6, 2014 at 9:07 am

      Or if you believe nothing will happen to you if you do get caught. The buddy system is alive and well among the faithful.

  • FREE PARKING December 6, 2014 at 12:21 am

    Fundraiser.!

  • koolaid December 6, 2014 at 1:13 am

    Nothing will happen to him over these charges. Taxpayers probably will also pay for his attorney fees.

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