The DOJ wants to see a $70,000 check from the sheriff’s office before July 31st.
Butch Conway, the sheriff of Gwinnett County in Georgia, raised eyebrows in April when he spent nearly $70,000 obtained from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to purchase a brand-new 2018 Dodge Charger Hellcat as his company car. The federal government recently for a reimbursement before July 31st.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the DOJ allocated Gwinnett County an undisclosed sum of money from its seized assets program to help the department buy the equipment it needs to support its missions. Federal officials initially approved Conway’s request for a Hellcat but ultimately decided the 707-horsepower sedan represents an extravagant purchase.
“The vehicle in question is a high-performance vehicle not typically purchased as part of a traditional fleet of law enforcement vehicles,” the DOJ wrote in a letter.
Conway drives the Hellcat to and from work. His application also noted he planned to participate in a local non-profit program that highlights the danger of illegal street racing by staging drag races in controlled environments. Finally, he also wanted to use it when participating in field operations. He stresses there’s nothing wrong with the purchase.
“Sheriff Conway maintains that this vehicle is an appropriate purchase, especially for an agency with a $92 million budget and the opportunity this vehicle provides in making our roadways safer,” the sheriff’s spokeswoman wrote in a statement.
The DOJ disagrees, and it won’t send Gwinnett County more funds until it receives a full reimbursement. Though the sheriff’s office is “exploring its options,” county officials have already promised to pay the full amount and add review points to the acquisition process to ensure those who want a Charger as a company car stick with more basic models.
The DOJ wants to see a $70,000 check from the sheriff's office before July 31st.
Butch Conway, the sheriff of Gwinnett County in Georgia, raised eyebrows in April when he spent nearly $70,000 obtained from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to purchase a brand-new 2018 Dodge Charger Hellcat as his company car. The federal government recently for a reimbursement before July 31st.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the DOJ allocated Gwinnett County an undisclosed sum of money from its seized assets program to help the department buy the equipment it needs to support its missions. Federal officials initially approved Conway's request for a Hellcat but ultimately decided the 707-horsepower sedan represents an extravagant purchase.
"The vehicle in question is a high-performance vehicle not typically purchased as part of a traditional fleet of law enforcement vehicles," the DOJ wrote in a letter.
Conway drives the Hellcat to and from work. His application also noted he planned to participate in a local non-profit program that highlights the danger of illegal street racing by staging drag races in controlled environments. Finally, he also wanted to use it when participating in field operations. He stresses there's nothing wrong with the purchase.
"Sheriff Conway maintains that this vehicle is an appropriate purchase, especially for an agency with a $92 million budget and the opportunity this vehicle provides in making our roadways safer," the sheriff's spokeswoman wrote in a statement.
The DOJ disagrees, and it won't send Gwinnett County more funds until it receives a full reimbursement. Though the sheriff's office is "exploring its options," county officials have already promised to pay the full amount and add review points to the acquisition process to ensure those who want a Charger as a company car stick with more basic models.
