From News 2's Web site:
The account is comprised of money seized from drug dealers and other criminals, and it was successfully used in the 1990s to build a state-of-the-art firearms training range in Atascocita.
Local 2 Investigates found the new sheriff will have millions less in that fund for any similar big-ticket projects because of the spending that started in the days following his win at the polls. Records show Thomas spent more than half of that money in just two months, despite having kept the account balance near $9.7 million for at least three years.
The total, according to Local 2:
After his defeat on Election Day, records show Thomas quickly spent $5 million on items that could end up costing taxpayers even more money, according to current county officials.
Former Sheriff Thomas said that it was his right to spend the money, since it was seized on his watch.
The story has great details about what was purchased -- and how it looks like a chunk of the cash was spent quickly on items that might not work.
This reminds us a bit of former Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, who went on his own spending spree as he was being ousted from the speaker's post. Read more about Craddick's spending here, and read more about the $140,000 renovations done to the House members' Capitol lounge.
We hear there is more to come on Local News 2 about former Thomas' spending spree tonight. Tune in.
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