City Water Employee Michael Lovelace Terminated For Equipment Theft

ATLANTA - A theft investigation in Atlanta’s water department is widening. Officials confirm to FOX 5 that tens of thousands of dollars in equipment has been stolen and employees --including a supervisor -- are implicated in the case.

Atlanta City Council member Michael Bond said more than $58,500 of equipment was stolen by a water employee.

"As I understand it, this individual was manipulating water meters so that they could...be deployed, sold, taken out of service. Wherever they're going, they're not going into the ground where people need them to be who are paying for them," Bond said.

Investigators believe developers or other customers may be buying the meters, who then use install the meter.

No charges have been filed, but water officials confirmed that Michael Lovelace was terminated. Lovelace was taken away from a water installation by police.

The investigation is ongoing.

City Water Employees Implicated in Equipment Theft: MyFoxATLANTA.com