Ex-Quality Paving president convicted of theft

BRIGHTON -- An Adams County jury found the former president and owner of Quality Paving and Quality Resurfacing guilty of theft of county funds.

Jerry Rhea, 64, is to be sentenced at 8:45 a.m., April 26, in Adams County Court. His trial lasted a month, and the jury needed 4 1/2 hours to find Rhea guilty of 23 criminal counts, including a half-dozen counts of theft of $20,000 or more, all felonies; four counts of theft of between $1,000 and $20,000, all felonies; six counts of conspiracy to commit theft or $20,000 or more, all felonies; four felony counts of conspiracy to commit theft of between $1,000 and $20,000; and three felony counts of attempting to influence a public servant.

The charges are the result of an investigation into paving and resurfacing contracts between Rhea's business and the county's public works department in 2007. Adams County District Attorney Don Quick said evidence pointed out discrepancies in the company's billing and the completed work. In addition, former company employees testified that Rhea was aware and oversaw the company transactions, including direct oversight of all accounts payable and accounts receivable.

"It is clear from the verdict that the jurors were convinced the former owner and president of Quality Paving/Resurfacing, Jerry Rhea, was responsible for his part in the fraud involving Adams County taxpayers' money," Quick said.

Rhea is the fourth person to be found guilty in this investigation. A jury found the company's former vice president, Dennis Coen, guilty of 62 felonies last month, including theft, conspiracy to commit theft, forgery and attempt to influence a public servant. Two others plead guilty.