FOWLER - David Lawrence Elias (56, of Fowler) has been charged in a Felony Complaint with thirteen (13) counts of Misappropriation of Public Moneys by a Public Officer, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced today.

Mr. Elias was arrested by the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations for allegedly using public funds for personal use. The DA's office says Elias purchased steaks, car tires, Disney tickets, Grizzlies tickets, pizza, SF Giants gear, tickets to see Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Paul McCartney, Keith Urban with the city's credit card.

During 2015 and 2016 while Mr. Elias was the City Manager of Fowler, he allegedly used City of Fowler issued credit cards for his personal use to make over 100 purchases that were not for legitimate city business.

Selma's City Manager took job while under investigation for embezzlement in same job at Fowler. ABC30 first reported on the investigation in July of 2017. Elias was hired as Selma’s city manager in April. “His history with Fowler has been stellar,” Selma Mayor Mike Derr said at a meeting that month.

Following a special meeting of the Selma City Council Friday evening, Mayor Michael Derr announced that the city has accepted the resignation of Elias. Before the embattled city manager accepted the potion in Selma it was written into his contract if his issues from Fowler threatened his ability to complete his duties for Selma, he would voluntarily resign. Elias honored that contractual requirement today.

His bail is set at $130,000.If convicted as charged, Mr. Elias faces a sentence of up to 16 years in state prison.