Special prosecutor assigned to sheriff case

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

A special prosecutor has been appointed in the misuse of funds case involving Putnam County Sheriff Mark Frisbie.

Montgomery County Prosecutor Joseph R. Buser accepted the appointment as special prosecutor following a request by Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter.

The request outlines a conflict that exists in Bookwalter exploring the allegations against Frisbie.

In the request, Bookwalter said, "The institution of criminal charges by me would be in violation of my professional ethics as a practicing attorney in the State of Indiana and would also give the appearance of impropriety to the general public."

An investigation was originally launched in December after the State Board of Accounts found $4,400 in missing and misspent money linked to the sheriff in an audit.

These "unallowable" expenses include $800 for first-class airline tickets to a sheriff's conference in Orlando, Fla., $600 for a limousine tour of Washington, D.C., $450 for "I support Sheriff Frisbie" campaign materials during election time and a $100 business lunch at Hooters with Frisbie's attorney in Nashville, Tenn.

It was reported in the Dec. 19, 2007 edition of the BannerGraphic that Frisbie paid back the $4,400 out of his own pocket at the request of the officials at the State Board of Accounts.

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  • Isn't that the prosecutor fron Crawfordsville in Montgomery County. Oh that will be better to have a closeness since Putnam and Montgomery go hand in hand. Why are we not treating this like everyone else and arrest him and THEN let him prove his case of innocense!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by Innocent on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 7:17 AM
  • The sheriff has paid back the money. Why are we spending taxpayers money to prosecute this?

    -- Posted by not gullible on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 8:27 AM
  • If this had been a citizen you would have been arrested first and then ordered to make retitution. Are the people who inforce the laws not held to the same standards . If not, our young people will feel they too can be dishomest and will not be reprimanded for their actions . Is that the message we want to send our community.

    -- Posted by g citizen on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 11:11 AM
  • His time is coming!The time when Tomas Miller shows up at his door and shuts those steel doors.I guess if I didnt know it was wrong it would be ok rite. And if paid it all back it never happen.Come on let the State do there Job.

    -- Posted by rhoover1615 on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 11:15 AM
  • Yes he committed a crime. Yes he received preferential treatment. Anyone else would have been arrested and made to stand trial for the same crime. That's just the tip of the iceberg folks, if only more people knew what all goes on in Putnam County's good 'ol boys club on the south end of town. The Sheriff was re-elected because he is good at getting his name/mug on the front page of the paper when he needs to keep the wool pulled over most peoples eyes.

    Most importantly, remember all of this when it comes time to vote again.

    -- Posted by duallydriver on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 12:26 PM
  • Frisbee isn't elgible to run again for sheriff the next time. He can only serve 8 consecutive years and then sit out 4 before he runs again.

    -- Posted by purple_heat on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 3:15 PM
  • I think the process is working as it should. State Board of Accounts does not have enforcement powers, they are auditors. When a blatant error is found, the prosecutor is informed. Bookwalter made a good choice to step aside to remove any biases that can be brought up. If the Sp. Prosecutor finds criminal activity, charges will then be brought againist Frisbee. If nothing is found, no charges will be brought. This is the way the system has worked for the past 40 years that I know of. I'm also not foolish enough to believe the, as we call it "good-ole-boy" system, can come into play at any time.

    -- Posted by gingb2 on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 7:43 PM
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