Pubdate: Tue, 15 Oct 2002
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Linda Spice

RIVAL SAYS SHERIFF MISUSED FORFEITURES

Bohn Contends Clarke Misspent Drug Penalty Money On Billboards

Franklin Police Chief Ken Bohn said he will file complaints with five 
county, state and federal agencies alleging that Milwaukee County Sheriff 
David Clarke misused drug forfeiture dollars for political gain.

He expects to announce today his request that the Milwaukee County district 
attorney's office, the Milwaukee County Ethics Board, the state attorney 
general, the state Elections Board and the U.S. attorney's office all 
investigate Clarke's use of the forfeiture money.

Bohn said he would do so even if he weren't trying to unseat Clarke during 
the Nov. 5 general election for sheriff.

"I believe so strongly in trying to stop the abuses of a program that I 
think is absolutely valuable to law enforcement that I'll take the risk of 
it appearing political to preserve that program," he said.

Bohn questions Clarke's use of nearly $10,000 to buy his department's 
Chevrolet Tahoe, which Bohn said the sheriff has used while campaigning, as 
well as $2,000 spent on billboards about an identity theft awareness 
campaign - that included Clarke's photograph - three weeks before the 
September primary election.

A spokesman for Clarke's campaign called Bohn's concerns old news.

"We've been there and done that," said Michael A.I. Whitcomb. He said Bohn 
is renewing "old, unfounded allegations that did not stick the first time 
they were thrown up against the wall, so he's going to try it again to 
obtain some free media mileage before the general election."

The money at issue is distributed to local law enforcement agencies by 
federal officials based on assets seizures in illegal drug cases. The money 
is supposed to be used for crime prevention, education and training but 
cannot supplement items usually covered by tax dollars.

Bohn said that if his complaints protect the program, it will have been 
worth the perception that they were politically motivated.

This is not, however, the first complaint alleging a problem with the drug 
forfeiture fund. Cudahy Police Chief Mark Hayes, who lost to Clarke in the 
Democratic primary Sept. 10, filed a similar complaint Aug. 26 with the 
state Elections Board, the U.S. attorney's office and the Milwaukee County 
Ethics Board.

In his letter, Hayes complained specifically about the billboards, quoting 
guidelines of the asset forfeiture fund to say, " 'Non-Official Government 
Use of Shared Assets - Any use that creates the appearance that shared 
funds are being used for political or personal purposes is not permitted.' 
Once again, your photo on a sign three weeks before an election has only 
one purpose, THAT'S POLITICAL."

Clarke did not return phone calls seeking comment at his office or through 
his scheduler. Instead, Whitcomb returned the call.

According to Whitcomb, the county's attorneys OK'd the use of the 
forfeiture funds for Clarke's sport utility vehicle. He said the timing of 
the billboards was something "the sheriff had absolutely no control over."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens