PLATTE CITY, Mo. (AP) — A member of the Ferrelview Board of Trustees has been charged with stealing and acceding to corruption.

Prosecutors allege 52-year-old Russell Wilson purchased a decommissioned Ferrelview police vehicle under false pretenses after an open bidding process. A probable cause statement contends Wilson purchased the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria for $550 after falsely telling the board that the high bidder of $2,500 had declined to purchase it.

Wilson is also accused of ordering a Ferrelview employee not to shut off his water after he failed to pay his water bill.

Court records do not indicate whether Wilson has a defense attorney.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd says in a news release that he takes allegations of public officials misusing their office to benefit themselves personally very seriously.