August 7th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
On Friday, August 7, 2015, two City of Cumberland employees were charged in connection with the theft of city water. Gregory Scott Shadwell, 43 years of age, and James Paul Friend, 51 years of age, were both charged with Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Theft.
Cumberland City officials were first alerted to the theft on 07/14/2015 when they received information that Shadwell had filled his own personal swimming pool with city water that had not been paid for. The Cumberland City Police were notified, and the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted to conduct an investigation into the allegation.
The C3I investigation included conducting numerous interviews and a review of water department records, which indicated that the water meter at Shadwell’s residence had been turned off in late June into early July for an unknown reason. There was no indication that the meter was malfunctioning, no repair order for the meter, and no reason that the meter should have been shut off. The investigation revealed that it would require someone who had the knowledge how to do so, and the ability to do so, to shut the meter off and turn it back on in this manner.
Through continued investigation Investigators learned that Shadwell and Friend had shut off the water meter for an unspecified period of time while the pool was filled. The meter was turned back on after the pool was filled.
Shadwell and Friend were both charged with Theft under $1000.00, Tampering with Water Supply Meter and Conspiring to Commit Theft. They are both free pending their next court appearance.
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