A nine-month investigation into fraud at the Edgartown wastewater department came to a head on Monday when the Edgartown district court issued a criminal complaint against a septic hauler who repeatedly failed to properly record his deliveries at the town treatment plant. The investigation, conducted by the Cape and Islands district attorney’s office, as well as state and Edgartown police, also pointed to possible violations of the state ethics law by an unnamed town selectman and town employees.

Jason Araujo, a resident of Edgartown and owner of Jay’s Septic, is alleged to have improperly logged the amount of sewage he hauled to the facility during 36 different instances over five months, according to the complaint and findings of fact issued by district court clerk-magistrate Liza Williamson Monday. Mr. Araujo is set to be arraigned on Feb. 6 on charges of making false statements in the procurement of supplies and services.

Town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport met with the Edgartown selectmen moments after the complaint had been filed Monday, and presented Ms. Williamson’s findings and the lengthy police reports that led to the charge.

Among other things the report claims that one selectman and more than one wastewater commissioner and town employee may have improperly used the facility by discharging their own septic waste for free. On Mr. Rappaport’s recommendation the entire case is being sent to the state ethics commission for review.

Mr. Rappaport also recommended the town hire special counsel to “advise the selectmen and wastewater commissioners how to proceed under the circumstances.”

“I would characterize these allegations as serious,” Mr. Rappaport said. “I think the public would be well served by having someone independent come and make a recommendation on how we should proceed.”

The selectmen voted to retain retired judge John Paul Sullivan for counsel.

Selectman Margaret Serpa said “time is of the essence” and moved to have the report “immediately sent” to the state ethics commission.

Though not charged with any crime, the report harshly criticizes wastewater superintendent Joe Alosso for relying on an “honor system” to manage the logging of sewage.

“This failure to monitor created a climate in which some of the haulers themselves took full advantage of the ‘honor system’ causing a financial loss to the town of Edgartown,” the report states. “Alosso’s lack of management control and oversight was a contributing factor to the continuation of improprieties at the wastewater facilities.”