Oklahoma Watch: Law enforcement seizures misspent, missing - Tulsa World
Audits done by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector's Office from 2009 to 2014 show many district attorneys' districts did not have written formal policies governing seized property. Also, in many cases, local law enforcement agencies did not keep an inventory of seized items. * Seized money was spent before it was forfeited in court. * Forfeiture cases were never filed for seized money that was listed as forfeited. (District 25). * Seized money was used to pay for retirement plaques and a retirement party, as well as doughnuts for a "spring roundup. * No documented evidence could be found that a pickup truck listed as sold at auction had been sold or money from the sale had been deposited. * Seized guns and money could not be accounted for (multiple districts). * A local law enforcement agency sold seized guns at auction without the knowledge of the district attorney. Funds and property seized by Oklahoma law enforcement agencies have gone missing or have been used for personal or other improper purposes, state audit records reveal. Among the violations were using seized money to pay on a prosecutor’s student loans and allowing a prosecutor to live rent-free in a confiscated house for years, records show. Source: www.tulsaworld.com
