Phil Trzop Boone County Sheriff's Office

(Walton, Ky.) - The Mayor of Walton is pleading not guilty to a charge of Abuse of Public Trust.

Phil Trzop, the general manager of the Boone County Water District, was arrested November 16. Sheriff’s office investigators alleges the 62-year-old traded in the utility company’s scrap metal for cash. He gave some of the money to water district employees as Christmas bonuses, but kept an undisclosed amount of cash which detectives found in his home.

During a hearing in Boone Circuit Court on Tuesday, Trzop’s attorney said that he never personally benefitted from the scrap money, the Kentucky Enquirer reported.

The case was waived to a grand jury, which could take place next week.

Trzop is currently suspended without pay from his position with the Boone County Water District. He has said he does not plan to resign as Mayor of Walton, a post he had been elected to just ten days before his arrest.

If Trzop is convicted of the felony he faces, Kentucky law would remove him from office.

LINKS:

Facing Criminal Charge, Mayor Won't Resign

Water District Manager Suspended Without Pay

Walton Mayor Arrested For Abuse Of Public Trust