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| N.C. Sheriff Charged With Embezzlement |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 09/17/2003 |
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A sheriff known for such tough-on-crime tactics as pink jail cells and paramilitary uniforms was arrested at his office Monday on charges of embezzlement and obstruction of justice. Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege was named in 15 indictments unsealed Monday in Superior Court; an additional 21 indictments remained sealed. Hege was suspended with pay and ordered not to contact anyone involved in the case or return to his office. District Attorney Garry Frank had filed a petition earlier in the day requesting Hege be suspended and removed from office 'for the protection of the public.' A hearing on the removal petition was scheduled for Sept. 29. The indictments charge Hege with six counts of obtaining property by false pretense, five of embezzlement by a public official, two of obstruction of justice, interception of an oral communication and aiding and abetting the interception of an oral communication. Some of the allegations against Hege include claims that he took $6,200 from a fund used for undercover drug buys to pay for re-election celebrations in 1998 and 2002 and to reimburse an employee for travel. Also among the subjects of the investigation were the sheriff's handling of money, particularly through his Blue Line Foundation charity that helps families of law enforcement officers who are killed or wounded, and his reporting of crime statistics. Frank said he requested an investigation after receiving information from a state investigation last fall of the former director of the county's public buildings and maintenance department, Ron Richardson, who resigned Jan. 31. The existence of the sealed indictments had been known for weeks, and Hege told a television interviewer last week that he was prepared to be named. Last year, three of Hege's officers pleaded guilty to federal charges for their involvement in a drug ring. Hege narrowly won re-election to a third term in November. |
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