Earlier today, local media outlets published a report recently released by Arkansas Legislative Audit (ALA) concerning our audit for Fiscal Year 2023. The report documents that money was found to be missing that had been under the control and purview of the former finance director.
The news article published was factual based on ALA’s final report. What was not noted in the ALA’s report was how these audit findings came to be. As there is currently an investigation being conducted by the Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division, I will not be releasing many details, but I did want to release pertinent information for the sake of transparency.
The former finance director for the Sheriff’s Office / Detention Center was terminated from their position effective June 14, 2024. The termination was unrelated to the theft of funds noted in ALA’s audit. During the next two business days (June 17-18, 2024) it was learned that money was missing from a deposit that had not been made in a timely manner. Evidence present with the non-deposited money indicated that a theft had occurred. At the moment this information was brought to light, I personally made two phone calls. My first call was to Arkansas Legislative Audit to request them to audit us earlier than scheduled, as we were already scheduled for later in the year. Due to their scheduling, this could not be accomplished. Information I had at that moment was shared with ALA supervisors, and I was advised that ALA would get to my department as soon as possible. My second call, immediately following the call to ALA, was to 2nd Judicial District Prosecutor Sonia Hagood. In that phone call, I formally requested that she authorize the Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division to begin an investigation into the matter. She agreed to do so and submitted that request via letter to the Arkansas State Police Company F Commander. A special agent with ASP was assigned, and has been working with Arkansas Legislative Auditors since late June 2024 on this case. At this time, the matter is still under investigation by ASP. Myself and/or the Arkansas State Police will release another statement when appropriate.
I want our citizens to know that I hold myself and my employees to a higher standard at all times. Honesty and integrity are of utmost importance to me, and I expect it to be the same for my employees. The actions represented in this audit report do not represent the majority of my department, or any other department or agency for that matter. To the contrary, actions such as these are in a very slim minority and always have been. The difference now is that any and all information is so readily available and accessible by computer and/or internet connections. As such, seeing such reports more often makes it very easy for citizens to believe that actions such as these are commonplace. They are not. However, rest assured that if they do occur under my tenure, they will be dealt with appropriately and as quickly as possible.
Thank you for taking a moment to read through “the rest of the story”, and thank you again for allowing me to serve as your sheriff and to provide you with important information, both good and bad, concerning my office.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sheriff Brad Snyder