Report: Navajo County Health Official Indicted On Fraud And Theft Charges

Navajo County Health Services Director Jeffrey Lee was indicted Tuesday on 16 counts of theft, fraud and misuse of public money. “The Associated Press” reports Lee used purchased gift cards issued to him in both Navajo and Coconino counties for personal benefit and falsified information. The “AP” says Lee worked for Coconino County from August 2012 until April 2017 as an emergency preparedness manager. He has been with Navajo County since 2017. “AP” says according to an audit, Lee used his Coconino County card to buy $82,550 worth of gift cards and spent them on his family’s cellphone services and other personal items which included a clothes drier. The audit also states Lee falsified information in the Coconino County’s accounting system to make it look like the purchases were for legitimate county business. “AP” states in one instance, Lee leased an RV and boat storage in Flagstaff using county funds and used it for a personal travel trailer and not for storage for county emergency response supplies. Lee has been put on administrative leave and will appear in court in Flagstaff in January.