St. Louis Sheriff’s Office Faces Controversy Over Unpaid Vehicle Purchase
An investigation by FOX 2 has uncovered that the St. Louis Sheriff’s Office purchased a new Chevy Tahoe without paying for it upfront, resulting in a bounced check for $56,191. The vehicle was first spotted on June 5 in a city lot of government vehicles, with a buyer’s order showing over $50,000 due. This discovery surprised budget leaders who had rejected Sheriff Alfred Montgomery’s request for additional funds just three days earlier.
Further investigation revealed that the check for the vehicle, which included additional law enforcement features, was written a few days after the initial rejection but reportedly bounced. The Treasurer’s Office confirmed that the check was returned on June 9. The Sheriff’s Office initially denied the allegation but later acknowledged that the check was returned due to the city’s ‘positive pay security process,’ which requires pre-authorization of checks. They claimed the rejection was procedural and not due to insufficient funds.
FOX 2 obtained an image of a cashier’s check dated June 11, showing that the vehicle had been paid for in full. The Sheriff’s Office maintained that the issue was resolved, but the incident has raised questions about the department’s financial management.
The controversy highlights the need for transparency in government spending and the importance of proper financial procedures. The Sheriff’s Office has not commented further on the matter.
