New case against former county IT director moved to another county

Jan. 31--DOVER -- A case against the county's former technology director Roger Smith Jr. has been moved to Merrimack County to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.

Smith, 60, of 83 Old Rochester Road, pleaded guilty to giving away a $591 county-owned iPad last month but was indicted on a charge of theft by deception at Strafford County Superior Court this month.

He is now facing a Class A felony charge alleging he obtained and exercised control over county property by submitting invoices payable to Topology and Hardware Integrators, a business he owns. Smith is accused of claiming the invoices were submitted by an independent vendor providing goods and services to the county. Court paperwork states the former technology director took over $1,500.

According to Assistant Merrimack County Attorney George Waldron, his office received an order Tuesday saying the case has been moved.

Waldron, who was already assigned to prosecute the case, said Smith waived his right to an arraignment. Waldron said Thursday Smith's bail was set at $5,000 personal recognizance.

If Smith is convicted of the crime, he could face 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison.

On Jan. 17, Smith's son, Roger "Bubba" Smith Jr., 36, of 1 Abbey Lane, turned himself in to authorities on a charge that he diverted insurance benefits to people who were not entitled to them. As an employee in his father's department at the county, the younger Smith allegedly applied for insurance benefits and then diverted them to others he listed as dependents. He is charged with felony theft of services and will be arraigned on March 21.

Waldron said the next step in the older Smith's case will be a dispositional conference, which he expects will take place within the next two months.

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