Ward told the deputy that his roommate accused him of stealing the dog. He also told the deputy that he never touched his roommate. The deputy noted that the two had been living solely as roommates for the last three months and that there was no one else inside the home at the time. The deputy arrested Ward on a charge of misdemeanor battery.

According to a statement released by the city of Flagstaff, the arrest occurred after Ward accepted the city’s job offer. He was hired on Nov. 6 and started work on Nov. 23. Ward has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality/destination marketing area, according to a press release from the Flagstaff CVB. In his previous position he was the interim executive director for Experience Kissimmee, the convention and visitors bureau for Osceloa County, Fla.

On Nov. 5, the city did a background and a motor vehicle records check going back seven years on Ward before he was offered the position. The city requires a background check on all “benefit eligible employees.” According to the city, at that time, Ward did not have any “reportable records.”

The city also said it has reviewed the Orange County Circuit Court records on the case and discussed it with Ward and is waiting to see what the outcome of the case will be.

“The city is following (Equal Employment Opportunity) guidance, which provides that an employment action (if any proves merited) will be job-related, consistent with business necessity, and determined on a case by case basis,” the city said in its statement.

The reporter can be reached at sadams@azdailysun.com or (928)556-2253.

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