LAKE COUNTY, Ind (WISH) — A former Indiana Department of Transportation employee faces felony charges after an investigation found he made hundreds of unauthorized fuel purchases using state resources, according to the Indiana Office of Inspector General.
Lake County prosecutors charged Cordell Ross with two Level 6 felony counts of theft and official misconduct. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 2½ years in prison.
Investigators found Ross made 752 unauthorized fuel purchases totaling 13,122.32 gallons of gasoline between Jan. 1, 2024, and April 28, 2025. The purchases resulted in a loss of $40,573.64 to the state, according to the Inspector General’s Office.
The Lake County Superior Court found probable cause in the case Tuesday.
The investigation was conducted by the Indiana Office of Inspector General with assistance from INDOT.
“The evidence our office uncovered made clear that these allegations warranted referral to the Lake County prosecutor,” Indiana Inspector General Jared Prentice said in a statement. “The prosecutors’ decisions to move forward reinforces that fact, and it sends a firm message that state employees entrusted to serve Hoosiers must steward public resources with integrity — and anyone violating public trust must be held accountable.”
