The State Board of Accounts released a Special Investigation Report of the Starke County Sheriff’s Department from January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2023 filed July 26, 2024.
The report stated that an examiner reviewed commissary bank statements, credit card statements, disbursements for travel, documentation for fundraising activities, compensation for certain employees, and invoices for automotive repairs. The results describe identified reportable instances of noncompliance found as a result of these procedures, according to the report.
In February 2023, the State Board of Accounts received a complaint regarding alleged misuse of commissary funds. An investigation was then conducted. The report alleges that there was unauthorized disbursement concerning personal purchases with Amazon, unauthorized disbursements with PayPal, unauthorized travel disbursements, duplicate payments, excess compensation, and Lowe’s credit purchases without approval, and names former Jail Matron Pam McDonald, former Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin and the county in the investigation.
The report also states that where was an alleged lack of segregation of duties and oversight regarding the County Sheriff’s Department.
In all, $63,837.39 is the summary charges of alleged malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance.
The entire report can be found here.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department released the following statement in a press release to WKVI News, “Upon Sheriff Jack Rosa taking office, he wanted to be transparent with the public and an internal audit of the department finances and quality controls was conducted. He reached out to the State Board of Accounts to conduct an internal review.”
Starke County Council President Dave Pearman stated, “According to the State Board of Accounts investigation, Sideline Automotive was not implicated in any wrongdoing in their recent investigation.” He noted that if there are inquiries about the report, concerns will be heard before the Starke County Council members Monday, August 15 during their regular meeting.
The Starke County Prosecutor’s Office is currently reviewing the allegations in the report. The report was also sent to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney.
