A police chief in Ohio was suppose to use $14,000 in donation money on a new police dog, but the chief decided to spend the money on new clothes, gas, and expensive cuisine. Now the chief has resigned and been indicted by a grand jury on felony theft of office.
Former New Vienna Police Chief Clinton Brown was reportedly using the $14,000 raised to get Paige, a Belgian Malinois, for the police department. Brown set up the New Vienna Police Department K-9 Fund in his name after he convinced village officials to allow him to buy a K-9 using donations.
According to the state auditor’s office, donors gave $14,020 to the fund between Jan. 21, 2017 and June 26, 2017. Brown received the K-9, named Paige, in March 2017.
However, New Vienna Mayor Kathi Stone, had the state auditor look into how that money was spent.
Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost relayed that Brown admitted to spending thousands of that donated money on himself for clothes, food, and gas. When Brown resigned in December 2017, unpaid bills related to Paige totaling more than $3,000 were found, WCPO News reports.
Yost also had this to say concerning the matter:
“It’s disheartening to see a member of law enforcement exploit a supportive community for personal gain. I’m confident that justice will prevail once Mr. Brown has his day in court.”
Brown was recently working as a lieutenant in the Mowrystown Police Department. It’s not clear if he still works there now.
On Thursday Brown was charged with theft in office.