Sheriffs Support Napier’s Call For RICO Review, Extravagances Exposed

In May, former Pima County Sheriff Chief Deputy Chris Radtke was sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to misuse RICO funds. The fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office failed to charge his unnamed conspirators sparked outrage across Arizona.

As a result, newly-elected Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier called for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to investigate the matter. Last week, the Arizona Sheriff’s Association sent a letter to Attorney General Mark Brnovich in support of Napier’s request for state review.

RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations) funds “are generated by law enforcement activities that result in asset forfeiture proceedings,” according to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. Once forfeited, proceeds are deposited into government accounts and are to be spent in accordance with state and federal laws and guidelines.

Law enforcement is supposed to use RICO funds to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations by taking their assets. That money is then supposed to be used in accordance with Arizona’s civil asset forfeiture rules laid out in Section 1. Section 13-2314.0:

“….to fund gang prevention and intervention programs, substance abuse prevention programs and substance abuse education programs. At least ten per cent of the monies in the fund shall be provided to private, nonprofit community based organizations and gang prevention and intervention programs.”

RICO monies are expected to be used for law enforcement supplies and training in their efforts to specifically fight criminal organizations and/or aid victims.

Napier says he has “confidence in the Attorney General and believes his request for additional review is being properly addressed,” according to a press release sent out on Friday. In light of the Arizona Attorney General’s attempt last year to block meaningful reforms of the asset forfeiture process and the use of RICO funds, few share Napier’s confidence.

Still, Napier says he has taken matters into his own hands to assure the public that the same abuses don’t continue. He advised the ADI that he personally signs every RICO expenditure request.

Money to burn

The ADI reported in February 2017: “According to admissions made in a court document filed in connection with the plea for approximately 18 years until July 2016, officers at the Pima County Sheriff’s Office engaged in a scheme to launder RICO/forfeiture funds to circumvent the strict restrictions on the use of those funds. The officers collaborated together to make it appear that the Sheriff’s department was donating the RICO/forfeiture funds to the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers (SAV), although the funds were actually used by the Sheriff’s department.”

Nearly three years before, Ron Jee, a financial administrator with Pima County sent out a memo outlining a review of the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers’ (SAV) expenditures to the late Chief Bradley Gagnepain and then-Captain Karl Woolridge. According to the memo dated December 2013, most of the contributions from the Sheriff’s Office to the SAVs are RICO funds. As a result, Jee reminded Gagnepain and Woolridge that “since RICO revenue was the primary source of funding, the department must be diligent and evaluate whether its use is consistent with applicable guidelines and policies.

Jee noted that the SAVs receive ongoing contributions and donations for five special funds: Building and Maintenance, Community Services, Special Awards, Regional Memorial, and Juvenile Services. “The Building and Maintenance Fund had the most transactions, and the Special Awards Fund had the highest expenditures due to the annual awards ceremonies,” wrote Jee.

A review of the records show that the memo had little effect on the leaders’ spending. Up until the time FBI agents raided the Sheriff’s Office, RICO money flowed freely through the hands of department leaders.

The indictment of Radtke listed “examples of the approximate $500,000 of financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce that were designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds of specified unlawful activity.”

Tuxedos, socks, and shoes

While Pima County residents have become familiar with Radtke and Gagnepain’s personal purchases like remote controlled airplanes, it is the extravagant use of the Special Awards Fund by department leaders that should raise eyebrows and questions. From computer software to formal wear, records show no expense was spared for the self-congratulatory events:

Check back to learn about the extravagant spending of RICO funds by Pima County Sheriff’s Office leaders.