Christopher Wedor, the former audit director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, is accused of stealing more than $20,000 from the department last year and filing invoices that claimed he was buying financial training materials from companies such as Walmart and Nest.
Wedor, 34, faces several felony charges on accusations that he stole more than $20,000 between May and December 2016. He allegedly used state-issued credit cards issued to him and subordinates to buy gift cards, electronics and software, according to District Attorney Beth McCann's office.
As audit director, Wedor was in charge of reviewing financial statements and protecting CDOT's financial assets. He turned himself over to authorities yesterday afternoon, a day after charges were filed, according to McCann's office.
When CDOT officials first confronted Wedor, he claimed that he had no idea what might have happened, according to accounts in an investigator's affidavit.
Alleged unauthorized purchases listed in investigators' documents included a $1,585 artificial Christmas tree and a "jumbo atomic wall clock" for $89.95.
At one point during a confrontation with CDOT leadership, Wedor reportedly said that he had bought a "fine crystal" leadership award from a company called Ilumi Solution. When he was asked where the award was, he reportedly said it was at home; when he was informed that Ilumi sells smart LED bulbs, "Wedor did not respond," according to the affidavit.
Wedor allegedly claimed in an invoice that a $974 purchase from Nest Labs was for a training manual for auditors, the affidavit states. In fact, Nest Labs sells thermostats, carbon monoxide detectors and security cameras.
"When asked if Nest Lab (sic) sells training manuals associated with The Institute of Internal Auditors, specifically online training courses (,) the representative said no," the affidavit states. It turned out that the purchase was for nine carbon monoxide detectors, according to the affidavit.
Wedor allegedly claimed in an invoice that he had bought "online training" for "extended financials" from Walmart.com for $2,479; the order actually was for Visa gift cards, the affidavit states.
An invoice allegedly filed by Wedor for an order from Apple said it was for "Apple inDesign," according to the affidavit. In fact, that is an Adobe product. Instead, the purchase was for two copies of Microsoft Office, which Apple does sell.
