Free Republic

HEGE PROBE MAY SPUR CASE DISMISSALS LEXINGTON -- Davidson County sheriff's deputies say they were directed to stop drivers based solely on their race and ethnicity -- a revelation that could lead to some criminal cases being dismissed in court. Deputies were instructed by Sheriff Gerald Hege to stop anyone "darker than snow," and "every Mexican or black guy," according to sworn affidavits from a half-dozen deputies. Those affidavits were unsealed last week in court after Hege was charged with embezzlement and obstruction of justice. He has been suspended from his duties. So far, at least one defense attorney is...

Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege was arrested by agents with the State Bureau of Investigation Monday following 15 indictments on felony charges including embezzlement, obtaining property by false pretenses and obstruction of justice. Much of the alleged misconduct focuses on Hege´s use of vice/narcotics funds to pay for re-election celebrations and other personal uses. In all, he is charged with five counts of embezzlement, five counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of aiding and abetting obtaining property by false pretenses, one count of endeavoring to intercept oral communication and one count...

Region | Officials say Hege's foundation not licensed DAVIDSON COUNTY LEXINGTON - A charitable organization started by Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege to help families of police officers killed or injured in the line of duty lacks the proper licenses to solicit donations, officials say. Officials with the Internal Revenue Service in Ogden, Utah, say they have no records indicating that the Blue Line Foundation, which Hege began in 1999, is tax-exempt. Pamphlets and a Web site about the foundation say all donations are tax-deductible. Officials with the state secretary of state say the Blue Line Foundation has not been...

Controversial N.C. sheriff under state criminal investigation TIM WHITMIRE Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege, known nationally for his pink jail cells and paramilitary stylings, is under a state criminal investigation, District Attorney Garry Frank said Wednesday. In a written statement, Frank said he asked the State Bureau of Investigation in April to look into allegations involving the activities and conduct of the controversial sheriff. The Winston-Salem Journal reported in Wednesday editions that SBI agents interviewed Hege and some of his top deputies Tuesday. Hege told the paper that agents, "talked with numerous people. ... This...

Hege endorses Snyder over Dole 7-16-02 From Staff Reports News & Record Posted 4:20 p.m. LEXINGTON -- Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege gave a huge boost today to an underdog contender for the U.S. Senate, endorsing local lawyer Jim Snyder over GOP front runner Elizabeth Dole. Davidson County's most prominent public official said that while he respects Dole, she has lived away from North Carolina too many years to be an effective representative of its people. "She is from North Carolina, but she hasn't been around in a long, long time," Hege said in remarks in front of Davidson's former...