Published: December 15, 2008 01:58 pm      

STATION 42 PROBE COMPLETE, SAYS SHERIFF

Investigation, which took less than a month to complete, will now be turned over to state attorney's office

The investigation into questionable spending patterns at volunteer fire station 42 in O'Brien is complete, Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron said Monday.

"We finished our investigation and we're going to turn it over to the state attorney's office to review," Cameron said.

The probe included all volunteer fire stations in the county.

Sgt. Chris Fry of the SCSO conducted the investigation, which began in late November and concluded Friday, according to Cameron.

Cameron said now that the investigation is complete, the state attorney will review it and decide whether criminal charges should be filed.

The Suwannee Democrat called for an investigation of questionable spending practices at Station 42 (See Our View - Sept. 24, this site) after obtaining invoices showing that Station 42 spent $7,294 within three months at three local building supply stores. It is not clear if the purchases were authorized in advance, in writing, as county rules require. Records further indicate Station 42 may have spent as much as $44,000 in county funds since 2006.

County Commissioner Jesse Caruthers asked the board to authorize a probe on Oct. 7. The commission approved the investigation on Nov. 5. It was at the request of former commissioner Randy Hatch that all Suwannee County volunteer fire stations were included in the investigation.