A Benton County Road Department supervisor was fired this week for his role in “wrongdoing” within the department, according to County Judge Bob Clinard.
In a letter dated Thursday (Aug. 15), Clinard informs Road Construction Superintendent Grant McCracken he is being fired because his “connection with the wrongdoing,” including theft from the county, “makes it impossible” to continue his employment.
According to the letter, McCracken, who lives on Jeter Road in Fayetteville, will be paid for an additional three days while he decides whether to file a grievance.
Two Benton County road officials, Public Works and Road Director Scott Stober and Road Superintendent Jack Brown, have resigned in the investigation.
Brown was arrested Aug. 10 on suspicion of theft and other charges after authorities said he admitted to collecting cash envelopes for scrap metal from Rogers Iron and Metal (RIMCO) for Stober. Brown has since been released from the Benton County Jail on bond. Brown faces a felony accomplice-to-theft charge on suspicion that he delivered cash payments from RIMCO to Stober, according to an arrest affidavit.
Brown was given a choice Monday to resign or be fired, according to county officials. He chose to resign later in the day.
Stober was arrested July 31 on suspicion of theft after allegedly using about $3,000 in county money on improvements to his personal pickup truck and on materials to build a deck for his house. He was released the next day on $2,500 bond.
Stober later resigned.
McCracken was also arrested Aug. 10 on suspicion of misdemeanor accomplice to theft.
An affidavit states McCracken bought lumber with county money for a deck at Stober’s home and helped Stober build it.
McCracken was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest.
In the termination letter, Clinard says McCracken was being fired even though he was “forthcoming” with law enforcement officials during the investigation.
