Former Quality Paving and Quality Resurfacing Owner and President Jerry Rhea Found Guilty

The 17th Judicial District Attorney Don Quick announced today that former Quality Paving and Quality Resurfacing Owner and President, Jerry Rhea (DOB: 01/11/1948) was found guilty of theft of Adams County funds.

Charges stem from paving and resurfacing contracts between Quality Paving/Resurfacing and Adams County Public Works in 2007. Evidence presented at trial showed several discrepancies in what was billed to Adams County by Quality Paving and Quality Resurfacing and what work was actually completed by the companies. Furthermore, former employees of Rhea testified that Rhea was aware and oversaw all company transactions, including direct oversight of all accounts payable and accounts receivable.

In the spring of 2008, the Adams County Sheriff and Adams County District Attorney conducted an investigation into allegations of improper and illegal transactions between employees of Adams County Public Works and county road contractors, Quality Paving and Quality Resurfacing. Over the last three years, the investigation involved the collection and review of more than 80,000 pages of documents, interviews of factual and expert witnesses and detailed examinations of numerous county road construction projects.

After a four week trial, an Adams County jury deliberated for four and a half hours and found Rhea guilty of 23 criminal counts, including, six counts of Theft of $20,000 or more (F3), four counts of Theft $1,000 - $20,000 (F4), six counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft of $20,000 or more (F4), four counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft $1,000 - $20,000 (F5), and three counts of Attempting to Influence a Public Servant (F4).

DA Quick states, “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.” DA Quick adds, “I want to thank the Adams County Sheriff Detectives, Jeremy Whytock and Terry Miles, and prosecutors in our office, Dave Young and Jess Redman, for their years of effort in case investigation and trial preparation.”

The former Vice-President of Quality Paving, Dennis Coen, was found guilty by an Adams County jury on January 11, 2012 of 62 felonies including, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, forgery and attempt to influence a public servant. Two others have pled guilty for their involvement in the public corruption.

Rhea will be sentenced on April 26, 2012, 8:45 AM in Adams County District Court, Division T.