LITTLE ROCK — The FBI is investigating whether the longtime Sheridan police chief spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on personal items, an investigator said Wednesday.
David R. Hooks has not been arrested or charged with a crime. On Wednesday, he was on paid administrative leave from the 12-officer department.
FBI agents on Tuesday searched his home, City Hall and the Police Department, seizing receipts, invoices and other items, said Sheridan detective Nathan Cook, who led the initial inquiry.
Cook would not specify what kinds of items were seized, saying he didn't want to jeopardize the FBI's investigation. He estimates thousands of dollars were spent on personal items since 2003.
"We recognized something wrong within our walls and took action within the agency," he said.
The department started an internal inquiry last year after city employees noticed receipts for items that didn't appear to be for city use, Cook said. Hooks was not aware of the inquiry, which was turned over to the FBI in October.
Hooks has been chief since 1984 and is Grant County's District 1 justice of the peace. He is in the second year of his first term.
Hooks, who could not be reached for comment, draws an annual salary of about $63,800 as police chief and another $150 a month for Quorum Court duties.
County Judge Kemp Nall said he expects Hooks will continue serving on the Quorum Court pending the outcome of the investigation. Sheridan Mayor Joe Wise said the City Council has agreed to let Hooks remain on paid leave.
Jail administrator Lt. Brent Cole has been named interim chief.
Wise, a longtime friend of Hooks, said he was unaware of the investigation until this week. He said he has talked to Hooks about the case.
Steve Frazier, an FBI spokesman in Little Rock, declined to comment on the investigation, saying the bureau, particularly in public corruption cases, takes care with the reputations of public officials.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 03/13/2008