CORRECTION: Sheriff silent over fund investigation
CADILLAC -- *Correction: Based on information 7&4 News received, we reported that the Wexford County Sheriff's wife was a new County Commissioner. It is in fact the Undersheriff's wife that will be on the board in the New Year. We apologize for the mistake.*
The Wexford County Finance Committee called a special meeting Thursday afternoon to give Sheriff Gary Finstrom a chance to respond to questions regarding the use of the Animal Control Millage.
7&4 News first told you about these allegations last week.
Animal Control is a division of the Sheriff’s Office, but has its own separate fund generated by taxpayer money through a millage. It totals about $300,000 a year. Wexford County Commissioner Terry Beck says there were some unusual purchases made with the Animal Control Fund by the Sheriff’s Office. He questioned how jewelry, parties, counter-terror operations/tactical training, hotel rooms, and the “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign helped keep Animal Control operating.
Earlier this week, the Wexford County Finance Committee sent Sheriff Gary Finstrom a letter asking him to come to the meeting to answer questions. Included in the letter were close to 40 questions regarding expenditures apparently made with Animal Control Millage funds.
Sheriff Gary Finstrom attended the meeting, but didn’t answer any questions. He told the committee he wasn’t given enough time to prepare. Commissioners are still hopeful he’ll have an explanation soon.
Wexford County Finance Committee Chairman Larry Copley says, "I have some confidence the sheriff will take action and look into this. It is possible he may not have been aware of this situation."
One of the board’s concerns is that the investigation won’t be looked at by the six new county commissioners who take over in the New Year, one being the undersheriff’s wife.
