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."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin