Newsclipping summary:

FEAR-List Bulletin posted by Leon Felkins, February 25, 1998
 
The Akron Beacon Journal reports today that there is a problem with the seized drugs and money ending up in the personal pockets of the police in the city of Alliance. The article, titled "Audit reveals problems with police department", goes on to say,

"The 34-page report released yesterday by State Auditor Jim Petro holds Black and former evidence room manager Patrolman Gary Mathews jointly liable under Ohio law for $14,149 missing from 20 criminal cases between 1993 and 1996. Seven other officers also were linked to the missing money and drugs."

Actually this is a problem nationwide that so far has received little publicity. It would be hard to estimate how much of the loot obtained through forfeiture and seizure is subject to "mysterious" disappearance but it is believed to be very large.

On the other hand, at the Federal level, we do have a better picture of this abuse. According to an Associated Press article, "$145 billion hasn't solved government problems with information systems", released on 18 Feb. 1998, the GAO is reporting on massive waste and loss with the seized loot. The agency has released a 233 page report on government financial management ineptness that includes the following quote:

"However, significant enhancements to internal controls and property management are still needed ... to effectively reduce the vulnerability to theft and misappropriation of seized property, including tons of illegal drugs and millions of dollars of cash and real property."

Hopefully the report will be made available on-line soon so that we can all see just how bad it is.

Posted by Leon Felkins on 25 Feb. 1998.