Nick Morgan, whose 30-day paid administrative leave expired Friday, was issued a list of a dozen violations, sources say, including allegations of excessive mileage on fleet cars, poor management of the county's Rapid Rotation Program and improper use of office resources and personnel.

The Mayor's Office would not discuss the matter. Instead, it issued a terse statement: "We cannot talk about personnel issues."

Contacted on Friday, Morgan refused to comment on the situation.

Also on Friday, the fleet operation's internal services director, Hoang Q. Nguyen (who was also on administrative leave), was terminated for cause, including allegations of improper use of county resources, sources confirmed.

As merit employees, Morgan and Nguyen can appeal their terminations. Sources say that process will begin next Friday with a so-called "pre-termination" hearing. Depending on the outcome, their cases may be heard by the county's Career Services Council.

Attempts to reach Nguyen on Friday were unsuccessful.

Last year, the county's fleet operation became the centerpiece of a string of scandals that led to criminal charges against the then-chief financial officer and the eventual resignation of Auditor Craig Sorensen.

The imbroglio prompted a six-month probe by a citizen review panel, whose five members released an explosive report alleging the county's vehicle program was poorly managed and overfunded by $9 million.

The issue remained a factor throughout a hotly contested county mayoral race, which then-Mayor Nancy Workman exited in October.

Since the citizen panel's criticisms, county officials have overhauled the 2,200-vehicle operation, selling scores of cars, eliminating much of the take-home use, swapping SUVs for sedans and adding hybrids.

Officials in Public Works and the Mayor's Office also may end the Rapid Rotation Program as early as next week.

Morgan, whose fleet division snared a national award for its efficiency last year, is a staunch defender of the rotation program, which requires vehicles be traded in after one or two years.

He was placed on administrative leave May 5. Specific reasons never were disclosed, although The Salt Lake Tribune learned the probe - aided by the District Attorney's Office - focused on allegations of falsified travel records and inappropriate use of county computers and staffers.

Back then, Public Works Director John Patterson said the allegations are "numerous" and "serious." Patterson could not be reached Friday.

Morgan, who was asked to leave his fleet office May 5 while his computer was later confiscated, denied any wrongdoing.

"There's nothing there," he told The Tribune in May.

djensen@sltrib.com