City of Dehli Criminal Charges

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has completed an investigation following a report issued  by the Office of the Auditor of the State of Iowa concerning the City of Delhi. The Auditor’s  Office released its findings on August 6, 2024, following a special investigation into the City’s  finances covering the period of January 1, 2015, through June 30, 2022. The investigation was  initiated after concerns were raised regarding financial transactions processed by former City  Clerk Lori Tucker. 

The Auditor’s report identified improper disbursements exceeding $66,000, including  unauthorized payroll costs, excessive wages, unearned vacation hours, improper insurance  payments, excessive reimbursements, and unauthorized credit card purchases. 

Theft – 1st Degree (Lori Tucker and Gregory Preussner) 

During the investigation, it was determined that Lori Tucker, former City Clerk, made improper  disbursements in excess of $10,000. Former Mayor Gregory Preussner, who served as mayor  from 2016 through 2021 and was a city council member when Tucker was hired in 2014,  admitted during an interview to having knowledge of and approving certain improper  disbursements. 

Based on the investigation, probable cause was established that Lori Tucker committed Theft  in the 1st Degree and Gregory Preussner aided and abetted in the commission of that offense. 

Tampering with Records (Lori Tucker) 

Following Tucker’s resignation in 2022, City staff were unable to access key accounting and  email systems due to withheld passwords. Despite multiple attempts by city personnel and law  enforcement to obtain the necessary credentials, Tucker did not respond. Probable cause was established that Lori Tucker committed Tampering with Records by  refusing to provide access credentials, thereby concealing public records and hindering the  City’s ability to access official data.

Theft – 2nd Degree (Lori Tucker) 

In January 2025, the current Delhi City Clerk discovered that payments for Tucker’s personal  insurance and retirement accounts continued to be automatically deducted from the City of  Delhi’s bank account from June 2022 through March 2023, totaling $2,694.98, even after  Tucker’s resignation. 

Probable cause was established that Lori Tucker committed Theft in the 2nd Degree for  continuing to benefit from City funds after her employment ended. 

Impersonating a Public Official (Gregory Preussner) 

The Auditor’s Office also identified an incident captured on City Hall surveillance footage from  February 22, 2022, showing Gregory Preussner, no longer serving as mayor, signing and  backdating a paid time off (PTO) request for Lori Tucker to December 26, 2021, when he still  held office. 

During an interview, Preussner admitted to signing the PTO form and acknowledged he should  not have done so. 

Probable cause was established that Gregory Preussner committed the offense of  Impersonating a Public Official. 

Charges Filed 

Based on the findings of the investigation, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has filed the  following charges: 

• Lori Tucker – Theft in the 1st Degree, Theft in the 2nd Degree, and Tampering with  Records. 

• Gregory Preussner – Theft in the 1st Degree (Aiding and Abetting) and Impersonating a  Public Official. 

Disclaimer: 

All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  This case remains under investigation, and no further information will be released at this time  to protect the integrity of the judicial process. 

These cases have been referred to the Delaware County Attorney’s