LONGVIEW, Texas – In a courtroom on Wednesday, former Mount Pleasant City Manager Edward Daniels Thatcher, 74, testified in his own defense against charges of theft and misappropriation of fiduciary property. Thatcher told the jury he had been waiting three years for a chance to set the record straight.

Travel‑reimbursement program at issue

Thatcher explained that the city council had discussed a travel‑reimbursement program alongside salary raises, noting that the city had not seen a raise in decades beyond a modest $25 per month stipend. He said council members ultimately settled on a specific dollar amount for the first month’s reimbursements, even though many had driven thousands of miles since the fiscal year began.

According to Thatcher, he was unaware of how some of the reimbursement forms were filed and said two council members expressly refused to participate in the program. He placed responsibility for the later discovery of irregularities on the city secretary, who testified earlier in the week.

Secretary’s role and repayment

Thatcher recalled a moment when the city secretary confronted him, saying, “you told me to do it.” He said the secretary later took over the reimbursement process after he stepped away from the program within the first few months.

He also asserted that, once the reimbursements became public through a request for information, all but one council member repaid the city for any overpayments. Thatcher emphasized that he was no longer involved in the program after its early stages.

Legal context

The charges stem from an alleged misuse of city funds tied to the mileage‑reimbursement scheme. Prosecutors allege that the program was used to funnel money improperly, while Thatcher maintains that any errors were unintentional and that the majority of officials corrected the issue once it was uncovered.

The trial continues as the court examines documentation, testimony from the city secretary, and the public‑information request that brought the reimbursements to light. The outcome will determine whether the actions constitute criminal theft or a mismanaged municipal program.

Community impact

Mount Pleasant residents have followed the case closely, expressing concern over the stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Local leaders have called for greater transparency in city financial processes to prevent similar disputes in the future.

As the proceedings move forward, the city council has indicated it will review its travel‑reimbursement policies and consider stronger oversight mechanisms. The goal, according to council members, is to restore public confidence while ensuring that city employees can conduct official business efficiently.

Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.