LITTLE ROCK — A Grant County Quorum Court member is running unopposed for a second term while the FBI continues to investigate allegations he misused public funds as the Sheridan police chief.
David R. Hooks, a Democrat, said he has no plans to resign either post. He has not been charged with a crime.
Hooks has been on paid leave from the Sheridan Police Department since the FBI raided it, City Hall and his home on March 11. They seized receipts, invoices and other items, Sheridan investigator Nathan Cook said at the time.
The deadline for candidates to file for election was the day before.
Hooks has continued to attend Quorum Court meetings, representing District 1.
Grant County Democratic Party Chairman Norman Frisby, who is also a deputy prosecutor, says people who have known Hooks for years want to wait until the outcome of the investigation before judging him.
"We were all rather shocked when it happened," Frisby said about the FBI raid. "We don't want to jump to any conclusions."
County Judge Kemp Nall said he hasn't heard anyone - residents or justices of the peace - call for Hooks to resign.
Sheridan Mayor Joe Wise said he learned from the FBI last week that the inquiry wouldlikely take another six moths.
In the meantime, Hooks continues to draw regular paychecks from his two government jobs. He earns an annual salary of $63,800 as police chief and $150 a month for Quorum Court duties.
The inquiry into Hooks began last year, when city employees noticed receipts for thousands of dollars worth of items purchased with city funds that did not appear to be for city use.
Cook launched an internal inquiry and turned over the findings to the FBI in October.
Hooks, who has led the 12-officer department since 1984, declined to comment about the FBI inquiry when reached at home.
"When I can, I want my side out there, too," he said.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 04/25/2008