Police chief seeks audit of seized property

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police Chief Mack Vines has requested an audit of cash and property seized by the department during drug busts and other felony crimes.

Vines asked for the review in November after the Treasury Department flagged an $18,647 discrepancy in a report sent to the federal agency.

Police officials tracked the discrepancy to a city bookkeeping error, but Vines wants to ensure the records are accurate and that adequate checks and balances are in place. "We have been working internally to reconcile our records with those of the city, but it is evident that further review is necessary," Vines wrote to Brad Scott, the city's internal auditor.

The audit of the city's forfeiture and seizure fund will be finished in January. The findings and recommendations will be sent to the police administration.

By law, police and federal law enforcement agencies can seize money and property used in crimes. Proceeds from the sale of confiscated property go back to the agencies. If the Police Department assists the FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration in an investigation, those agencies divvy up proceeds with police.

In October, the Police Department was told of a problem in a report sent to the Treasury Department. Police sent a document showing no money was sent to the Police Department during the 2000 fiscal year. Treasury, however, disbursed $18,647 to the city for helping its agencies.

S. Wayne Smith, the Police Department's legal adviser who also oversees forfeitures and seizures, said Tuesday that the $18,647 was inadvertently deposited into another city account.

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