Over Half a Million Dollars Returned to Sheriff's Office | News

WOODBINE, Ga. -- A Department of Justice audit of the Camden County Sheriff's Office Federal Seized Asset Program has resulted in $527,000 being returned to the sheriff's office.

The DOJ audited 18 months out of the 24 years Bill Smith was sheriff of Camden County.  During their audit they found he had misspent $662,000.  As a result of this finding the Camden County Sheriff's Office and Smith were barred from participating in the federal seized asset program.

The funds returned to the sheriff's office were seized in traffic stops during 2011.  Under the Equitable Sharing Program of the DOJ, the federal government processes seized assets and returns them to local and state agencies once a clearly defined purpose is listed.  These purposes may include training and/or purchasing new equipment.

Sheriff Tommy Gregory said the program grants the sheriff's office the ability to supplement his budget without using local taxpayer money.  "Reinstatement in this program highlights my commitment to keep our citizens and their property safe while continuing to be financially responsible and fiscally transparent," Gregory said.

The Camden County Sheriff's Office was formally reinstated in the Department of Justice's program November 17, 2011.