Alcorn County Sheriff Arrested On Fraud And Conspiracy Charges In Mississippi
Alcorn County Sheriff Charles Rinehart was arrested on fraud and conspiracy charges. Mississippi State Auditor Stacy Pickering announced that Cars for Less owners Teddy Null and Pamela Denise Null were also arrested in connection with the case.
The Mississippi sheriff’s department bought six cars from Cars for Less over the past three years, the state auditor noted in court documents. Pickering also stated that fraudulent quotes appearing to have been issued by other car vendors were authored by Pamela and Teddy Null and presented to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors. Soliciting competitive quotes before the purchase of the cruisers for the sheriff’s department is required by law. The Nulls’ fraudulent quotes also allegedly pertained to prospective trade-ins.
The Mississippi State Auditor also maintains that six vehicles purchased from Cars for Less for the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Officer were salvaged vehicles which were rebuilt with parts that may have been stolen. The condition of the cars were not reportedly disclosed by the Nulls during the bidding or sale process.
Materials and records seized during a Cars for Less raid last week are still being analyzed by Mississippi law enforcement investigators.
“Based on our investigation, Sheriff Rinehart used his position to manipulate the system,” State Auditor Stacey Pickering said. “Teddy Null and Pamela Denise Null conspired with the Sheriff to ensure their company received the Sheriff’s business, while not disclosing the condition of all the salvage vehicles to the County. In addition, our investigation has uncovered questions relating to the business operations at Cars for Less in Alcorn County. The behavior of the Sheriff and this vendor is deplorable and will not be tolerated.”
Sheriff Charlest Rinhart was first elected in 2008 — he is not up for another office run this year. In addition to the fraud charges levied against the Alcorn County Sheriff, Rinhart is also facing civil litigation on an unrelated manner. The Mississippi elected official is accused of misappropriating funds related to the Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility Technology Fund, The Alcorn County Sheriff’s Commissary Account, and the Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility.
“Alcorn County citizens deserve fair and honest public officials they elect to office. They should expect their officials to have good judgment in dealing with vendors,” District attorney John Weddle said. “This indictment is another step forward in protecting the people of this district from fraudulent practices. We appreciate the hard work of State Auditor Stacey Pickering and his staff for their continuing work in Alcorn County and this case.”
What do you think about the arrest of the Alcorn County Sheriff?
