Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jul 2005 Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK) Copyright: 2005 Muskogee Daily Phoenix Contact: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) INVESTIGATE THE D.A.'s OFFICE The FBI should investigate the Muskogee County District Attorney's Office given the problems the state found with the bookkeeping in its forfeiture cases. Wednesday, State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan characterized the books in John David Luton's office as a "mess." While state Attorney General Drew Edmondson said Thursday that he didn't believe the audits required an investigation, he admitted they "suggest areas that need improvement." Unfortunately, the attorney general ignores the fact the office was told in 2002 its recordkeeping needed improvement. The failure of Luton's office to take care of problems two years ago is, at the very least, a sign of very poor management. Muskogee citizens deserve better and a DA who follows state forfeiture laws. Taxpayers are the ones who will be fiscally accountable should lawsuits be filed and won because of the mess. Two already are being heard in federal court. Since Edmondson's office represents Luton in those cases, Edmondson should not be the one deciding whether an investigation is needed. An investigation is necessary because law enforcement scandals have been uncovered across the country involving offices making deals with drug offenders to drop or lower their charges in exchange for money or vehicles. Those scandals and others have led to calls to end federal grants that help fund local drug task forces. In fact, President Bush has proposed an end to the grants next year. If Luton or his office has done nothing wrong, then they have nothing to fear from an investigation. But even if it's simply a case of poor recordkeeping, it should not be allowed to continue another day. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth