MIDVALE, UT - Salt Lake County's fleet manager, who came under fire last year over county car abuse, has been placed on paid leave and is being investigated by the District Attorney's Office, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Nick Morgan was ordered May 5 to leave his office, and his computer access was frozen. Details on the allegations were not divulged, though Public Works Director John Patterson said in the newspaper article that "they are numerous and they are serious." According to the Salt Lake Tribune, it has learned the probe is focusing on accusations of falsified travel records and inappropriate personal use of county computers and staffers. Morgan denies any wrongdoing, and told the newspaper that he is not worried about scrutiny of his travel or his computer. "Be my guest," he was quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune. "There's nothing there." Last December, a citizens’ review panel issued a report detailing problems with the county's vehicle program, including that the 2,200-vehicle division was overfunded by $9 million. The study was ordered by then-Mayor Nancy Workman following the resignation of Auditor Craig Sorensen, who admitted stealing gas with his county credit card, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Morgan told the newspaper that he has taken work trips on the county dime this spring to Fresno, Calif.; Dallas; and Palm Springs, Calif. Each time, he insists, receipts were turned in to his secretary for reimbursement. "If there's anything wrong, it's clerical," he said. "It's not more than that."
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