Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2005 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 Author: Carrie Coppernoll Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States) POLICE-INFORMANT FUNDS QUESTIONED IN SALLISAW SALLISAW - City officials want a state audit of the Sallisaw Police Department Drug Fund because $23,000 in informant pay-off money can't be accounted for. Former Police Chief Gary Philpot has not turned over his files outlining cash payments to drug informants, Police Chief Shaloa Edwards said Tuesday. Though no specific allegations have been levied, Edwards said his predecessor needs to turn over what he claims is proof of appropriate spending. "He says he has the files to prove it, but it needs to be audited and sealed," Edwards said. City commissioners voted Monday to ask the state auditor to investigate. Philpot could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Drug fund money is seized from drug dealers and used to fight drug crimes, Edwards said. Only the police chief can check out drug fund cash, Edwards said. He can give it to his officers or use it himself, but it must be used to pay informants. The chief must turn in receipts. The fund can be used in other ways to fight drugs, but cash must be used for informants. The former chief signed out up to $1,000 at a time, said Edwards, who was elected to replace Philpot and took over in April. Edwards said he doesn't know how much informants are paid, but "I know we've been paying them well." Two detectives who have been given drug fund cash have "balanced out their files," Edwards said. The two spent about $8,500 combined since 1999. The chief maintains files of who is paid what, but the names are usually either false or assigned a number. The real names are kept in a ledger, which doesn't have to be turned over to auditors, Edwards said. The chief said he thinks the system could open the door for fabricating informants. "That's something I've been questioning," Edwards said. "I don't like the way it's set up." That list is what Philpot hasn't shared, Edwards said. The names must be kept confidential for fear of retaliation, Edwards said, but the chief said he would like his predecessor to hand over the documents. Edwards said he doesn't plan to check out any cash from the $16,000 still in the fund unless absolutely necessary. So far, he hasn't. "I don't want no part of it," Edwards said. "If we need it, I'll do it, but other than that, no." Sequoyah County District Attorney Richard Gray said his office will not be involved in the case unless auditors find evidence of a crime. "There's probably so many hands that have touched that stuff and then being able to trace it down to who's responsible, it's going to be tough," he said. "But right now, that's up to the auditors to determine." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin