Posted on 05/09/2003 8:06:24 AM PDT by Stew Padasso
Hyde sheriff's livestock purchases are questioned
Associated Press
SWAN QUARTER, N.C. - The Hyde County sheriff's purchase of livestock with money from local drug seizures was unwise despite the sheriff's good intentions, says a state official.
The Hyde County Sheriff's Department was listed as the buyer of four hogs and one lamb worth $3,400 during the county livestock show last week, the Washington Daily News reported Friday.
The animals remained with the 4-H program after the sale.
Funds to make the purchase came from the Unauthorized Substance Tax.
Ron Starling, director of the Unauthorized Substance Tax Division of the state Department of Revenue, said he saw the good intentions behind the purchase, but called the expenditure unwise.
"I do not believe the Legislature intended the money to be used that way," Starling said.
L.B. Johnson said he sees nothing wrong with the way his department spent drug money returned by the state.
"I saw an opportunity to help," the sheriff said Thursday.
Johnson said he saw the purchase of the 4-H show animals as an investment in the children of the county.
Proceeds from drug busts go to the state and local agencies responsible for drug arrests. A memorandum from the state Justice Department said the Legislature intended the money to be used to help law enforcement deter and investigate drug and other offenses.
Johnson told the newspaper that buying the livestock was a way to help deter crime.
"We invested drug dealers money to help our children," he said.
The sheriff also said he contacted Hyde County attorneys as well as the North Carolina Institute of Government prior to making the purchase and no one saw a problem. The sheriff said he didn't contact the Department of Revenue.
Information from: Washington Daily News
LOL! And the Ferrari and investment of the local car dealer, and the house expansion as an investment of the local labor force. Corruption pure and simple! But then again, I too prefer this use of funds over Nomex suits and MP5s.
...he further went on to state that he will not seek nor accept the nomination of his party for the next sherrif's election.
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