Trial of former EIDD employee delayed

By Bev Woodruff, Staff Writer

Former Eastern Indiana Development District employee Troy Collier’s day in court has been delayed until July 10.

The latest delay is the second time the trial for Collier, 33, of Muncie has been delayed. Collier was arrested on Oct. 6, 2011 on charges related to the theft of funds from the EIDD. He was charged with one count of Corrupt Business Influence, a Class C Felony; theft (more than $150,000), a Class C felony and four counts of theft, Class D felonies.

After an investigation that began in Jan. 2011 led to Collier’s arrest nine months later, a jury trial was scheduled to begin on Feb. 28 in the Henry County Circuit Court. The Feb. 28 date was moved to May 1, and now the trial date has been moved to July 10.

The alleged theft occurred over a two-year period, beginning in 2008. According to information contained in the affidavit for probable cause, Collier spent EIDD funds to purchase personal items including computer equipment, video games, movies and TV series on DVDs, a home theatre system, a 55 inch TV and a stove. Collier also told Indiana State Police Detective Scott Jarvis he had been spending up to $400 per month on subscriptions to online pornography websites.

An audit of the EIDD’s financial records alleges Collier stole, through check fraud or credit card fraud, $150,447.73 from the EIDD. Collier deposited an estimated $47,550 into the EIDD’s bank account, leaving a total loss of $102,897, according to the ISP.

Since Collier’s arrest, he has paid back more than $47,000 to the EIDD, leaving the total loss at more than $102,000. Soon after he was arrested, last Oct., Collier posted bond on Oct. 17, 2011, and was released from the Henry County Jail where he was being held.

Collier worked at the EIDD as its financial director. His duties included keeping the books, and he allegedly was keeping two sets of books. Nancy Kinder, who served as the EIDD executive director at the time, discovered the two sets of books when she was checking on an unpaid bill. She requested an investigation into the matter. Charges were filed after an Indiana State Police investigation was completed.

Initially, Collier was represented by public defender Craig C. Parker. Parker filed for a continuance in Feb. and the trial was moved to May 1. Collier is now represented by public defender David George Sadler. Sadler filed, on Collier’s behalf, for a continuance on April 20 and the continuance was granted on April 23.

The trial is now scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 10 at 9 a.m. in the Henry County Court. A pretrial conference is scheduled for June 7.