Former Columbia parking manager accused of stealing from meters pleaded guilty to similar crime in 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The now-former Columbia parking manager who was accused of stealing money from parking meters earlier this month was accused of a similar crime more than a decade ago.
James Faup, 38, of Columbia, was arrested on April 2 on suspicion of felony stealing and misdemeanor stealing, according to a Columbia Police Department press release that was issued the same day. Faup bonded out of jail and charges have not yet been filed on Casenet.
CPD wrote in its release that it was tipped off by someone who claimed they saw someone in a Public Works uniform “who was exchanging a large amount of coins at a local business.” Faup allegedly took coins from parking meters and exchanged them for paper money “for personal use,” the release says.
Faup had pleaded guilty on July 10, 2013, in Boone County to misdemeanor stealing. Court records show he was originally charged in that case with a felony. He was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation and 40 hours of community service.
The probable cause statement in that case says the University of Missouri Parking and Transportation Services Office saw a $500 shortage on a bank deposit. The statement describes Faup at the time being an assistant to the main collector of funds.
“The main collector left the office following completion of collection change from the parking meters around campus and Faup was left to count the funds and secure them for collection by Brinks on 12-11-2012,” the statement says.
A second $191 shortage was discovered on Jan. 17, 2013, “from change machines located in Hitt Street Garage and Virginia Avenue Garage,” court documents say. The “main collector” and Faup were the only people with access to those machines, court documents allege.
Faup allegedly admitted to University of Missouri police on Jan. 23, 2013, that he took $500 in quarters and deposited it into a checking account. He also allegedly admitted to cashing out the other $191 at a CoinStar machine.
The City of Columbia had confirmed to ABC 17 News on April 3, 2026, that Faup was employed by the city from Feb. 20, 2013-April 2, 2026.
ABC 17 News has reached out to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and the City of Columbia on Tuesday.
City Finance Director Matt Lue told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that the city is conducting an audit of the parking fund. The city expects it to be complete by the end of May.
