Dumas Man Sentenced: Using EDC Credit Card for Dream Vacations to Disney and Bahamas

A man from Dumas has received a three-year jail term for using money from the Dumas Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for his own personal use.

Michael Running, from Dumas, admitted guilt to accusations of theft and misuse of entrusted assets on April 1st.

At his sentencing, Running was handed a three-year jail term along with a $5,000 fine for each count.

Indicted for utilizing the EDC's credit card for personal expenses, Running faces allegations that encompassed family getaways, household cleaning services at his residence, and even a bill for interring his dead horse.

One of the biggest unapproved expenditures involved a family getaway to Disney World and the Bahamas, including his daughter’s partner. The total expense for this trip amounted to roughly $17,000 for the EDC and served no business-related objective.

Initially, Running claimed that he thought the credit card belonged to him, even though several board members had previously directed him to stop using the card for personal purposes.

Aside from these accusations, Running was additionally charged with issuing checks to himself from the Cowboy Classic Rodeo Association, which is an organization set up for scholarships. He confessed to stealing around $46,000 from this group.