The director of Auburn's Public Works department is not to blame for thousands of dollars of equipment reportedly taken by department employees, city officials said today.

According to City Manager Mark Palesh, Public Works Superintendent Jerry DelFavero -- along with the city police department and the county district attorney's office -- helped with the investigation to locate approximately $10,000 worth of city-owned equipment reportedly taken by workers for personal use.

Palesh also said Thursday that DelFavero, who has worked as superintendent for almost 10 years, is not the one responsible for incidents of theft he expects has spanned decades. There are just too many employees and not enough supervisors to keep tabs on everyone all the time, Palesh said.

"You can't be everywhere all the time," Palesh said. "The span of authority for any supervisor is usually five to seven people. Jerry has far more than that."

The department, which employs approximately 70 people, was subject to an internal investigation after city officials learned that multiple pieces of equipment such as chain saws, water meters, leaf blowers and shovels had been taken by employees for personal use, according to Palesh.

In October, city management allowed a one-time amnesty through which employees could return the items without being fired or prosecuted. All of the items suspected missing were returned, as well as additional equipment, he said.

Local law enforcement officials claim the prosecution and litigation process would be long and costly, as such matters are difficult to prove.

Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said Thursday that considering the circumstances, he is satisfied with the way the city handled the issue. He would not comment further, stating that it is a legal and personnel matter.

Quill did say, however, that DelFavero has an "awesome responsibility" as a department head, and did not place any blame on him for theft in the department.

"As a former department head," said Quill, who is the former fire chief, "I know it is impossible to be watching every employee every day."