Muncie Names Interim Building Commissioner

The city of Muncie has named a veteran county and city worker to lead the building commissioner’s office while its current commissioner goes to trial on federal charges of abusing his power.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Rick Lorrison has worked in city and county government for most of his career, serving in maintenance for the Delaware County Justice Center and most recently as the Assistant Superintendent for Muncie’s street department.  When the city announced Lorrison’s new position on social media, it praised his “over 17 years of experience with electrical, plumbing and HVAC.”

Lorrison says he was busy on Tuesday in his first day on the job, which he says involves a different kind of problem solving.

“Not as much looking at trying to figure out the solutions to problems.  More, just looking at them and determining what is wrong and if everything is okay or not.  I haven’t really got my feet wet yet, but I’m sure that’s coming.”

Lorrison replaces Craig Nichols, who is suspended without pay.  Nichols has been indicted on 33 federal charges of wire fraud, theft, and money laundering.  Federal officials say Nichols abused his building commissioner position to steer work to his private companies.  His trial is scheduled for late August.

Since Nichols was arrested and put on leave, city officials said the building commissioner’s office had been functioning normally with existing staff.