Topeka ? The city of Topeka disciplined three employees who stole scrap metal from a work site, but city officials refuse to say how much metal was stolen and two of the employees remain on the job.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Friday that the water department employees loaded a trailer with city-owned scrap metal from a work site last year. When the theft was discovered, a supervisor retired and two employees were disciplined. The theft was not reported to police.

City manager Norton Bonaparte refused to confirm the theft or answer any questions about it, saying it was a personnel matter.

But Mike Merriam, an attorney for the Capital-Journal, says the theft of government property is not a personnel issue and taxpayers have a right to know when city property is stolen.