In Sheriff Montgomery’s and Chief Deputy Wallace’s interview on May 19th, 2005 the investigators told Montgomery they found an old account closed 3-2004 for former Jail Administrator Kyle Kelley that was not reported to the Legislative Audit Committee. In reviewing this account’s history Montgomery became angry and suggested that criminal charges be sought against Kelley.
Marty was then advised that we had located an old account closed 3-04 for Kyle Kelly. Marty stated that he had pulled Kyle's card from him in the fall of 2003 because of some problems. We then went over Kyle's charges item by item with Marty from the period of Jan 03 to Mar 04. Marty became visibly angry when charges to Lake Liquor and Springhill Wine and Spirits and numerous other obviously personal expenditures were related.
Marty stated that he was unaware of any of this and suggested that this be turned over to HG Foster for criminal consideration. Marty was advised that the Legislative Audit had apparently not seen his information. Marty repeatedly questioned Steve on how this could have gotten by them in the review procedures. Steve stated that there are probably PO's with their initials approving payment.
Yet Kyle Kelly is allowed to resign in good standing shortly before this interview was conducted. Eight days prior to talking with investigators Wallace was quoted in the Log Cabin saying,
Faulkner County jail administrator resigns
By RACHEL PARKER
LOG CABIN STAFF WRITER
[. . .]
Chief Deputy Steve Wallace said Kelley resigned Monday for personal reasons and "was not forced by any means."
"It was his choice. Who knows why people quit. It's just the best thing for them and their family," he said.
"We think a lot of him. He's been an integral part of this team ever since '97. We're going to miss him for sure. He's been a big part of what we've done. We support him in whatever he does."
Now how convenient it was for Kelley to resign when he did, a little to convenient if you asked us. Did, as Montgomery stated, the sheriff and his staff really not know what he was charging on his card? What were the problems that led the sheriff to take Kelley’s card from him in the fall of 2003? If Montgomery was so angered by these revelations of misspending that he wanted charges brought against Kelley then why was Kelley given a glowing send off in the media? Could this be part of a calculated plan to avoid criminal charges or is this coincidence just another lucky break for Sheriff Montgomery.
Speaking of lucky breaks, did you know that Chuck Lange, executive director for the Arkansas Sheriff’s Association, reluctantly paid the bills for the Seattle trip that were in question without documentation? Did you also know that Sheriff Montgomery was given the Associations credit card to pay for this trip? Was this another lucky break?
The hypocrisy of it all really stands out when you read the summary of the May 19th, 2005 investigation,
This inquiry, conducted in the form of an audit review, reveals that public funds have been used within the Sheriff's Office for personal expenditures and other budgeted funds have been used for questionable purposes with respect to the Jail and personnel.
Sheriff Martin P Montgomery:
Sheriff Montgomery has utilized his Visa Business Card Act# XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-4736 during the period Jan 1, 2003 through Dec 31, 2004 to pay for personal expenditures. These expenditures include, but are not limited to educational expenses, travel expenses for family members (San Antonio TX, Nashville TN, Seattle WA, and a family vacation to AZ), vehicle maintenance, and other questionable purchases. It should be noted that Sheriff Montgomery has made some reimbursements toward these purchases but reimbursements do not match or equal expenditures to this date.
Sheriff Montgomery did authorize Tammy Weaver (civilian employed) to take paid, administrative leave well above the amount of available time she had accrued for maternity and sickness of a child.
Sheriff Montgomery did allow his wife (Arlene Montgomery, sole occupant) to drive a county sheriff's vehicle during which time an accident occurred involving this vehicle.
Chief Deputy Steve Wallace:
Chief Deputy Wallace has utilized his Visa Business Card Act# XXXX-XXXX- XXXX- 4744 during the period Jan 1, 2003 through Dec 31, 2004 to pay for personal expenditures. These expenditures involve, but are not limited to the registration of his wife and family to attend a National Sheriff's Association Conference in Nashville TN., as well as educational classes purchases.
Other questionable expenditures on this account arise from the practice of lending the card to other Sheriff's Office personnel to utilize while on trips for prisoner transport or other travel. Examples of these types of expenditures would include meals and hotel rooms at various Casinos, etc.
Major Perry Wyse:
Major Wyse has utilized his Visa Business Card Act# XXXX- XXXX- XXXX- 0462 to pay for and not limited to, the registration of family members of Tammy Weaver and Alison Hendrix to attend the National Sheriff's Conference in Nashville TN.
Other questionable expenditures on this account arise from the practice of lending the card to other Sheriff's Office personnel to utilize while on trips for prisoner transport or other travel. Examples of these types of expenditures would include meals and hotel rooms at various Casinos.
Kyle Kelley - Jail Administrator
Kyle Kelley had utilized his Visa Business Card Act# XXXX- XXXX- XXXX- 3335 to make purchases at Liquor, Retail, and Pharmacy stores; Pay personal DirectTV bills; On-Line purchases via Pay-Pal Accounts; and grocery. Although charged with the county card the majority of these bills were paid personally by Kyle Kelley. It should be noted that Kyle Kelley has resigned his position with the Sheriff's Office and is no longer employed.
Sheriff Montgomery wanted charges brought against former Jail Administrator Kyle Kelley for obvious personal expenditures on his credit card and now revels in the lack of charges against him for the same crime.
No probable cause? Give us a break…
No comments:
Post a Comment