Defrauding of program for the blind charged

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A former manager in state government has been charged with using state money to buy equipment for the blind but then keeping the items for himself.

Kirby Fisher, former manager of the Reno office of the state Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, made his first appearance in Justice Court in Reno Monday on a charge of obtaining money or property under false pretenses.

Deputy Attorney General David Neidert estimates Fisher may have taken anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 worth of property.

Fisher is accused of making purchases with state money to buy equipment to help the blind with training and rehabilitation. But according to the complaint, the blind never received items he purchased.

Curtis Edmonds, an investigator for the attorney general's office, said he found "a garage full of items" when he visited the Fisher home. He said Fisher confessed that he has falsified records.

Late last year, employees of the bureau became suspicious of Fisher. They contacted Dolores Walker for whom Fisher had reportedly purchased $2,930 worth of cooking utensils and knives with state money to allow her to open a catering business in Virginia City. Walker denied knowing Fisher or receiving any benefits from the bureau since 1993.

The investigator said Fisher immediately admitted the case was false and said he had done "some stupid things" and apologized.

A legislative audit said there were ineffective financial management practices in place.

But the legislative examination did not list any findings of illegal activities.