Auditor Claims DA Used Cars Seized in Drug Cases, Inmates Smoked Confiscated Crack
A state auditor’s report claims oversight of property seized from West Tennessee drug dealers was so lax that jail inmates on a work detail smoked confiscated crack cocaine and a prosecutor drove seized luxury cars.
The prosecutor, District Attorney General Hansel McCadams, is accused of occasionally using a variety of items confiscated by the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, report the Jackson Sun, the Times Free Press, the Associated Press, WSMV.com and NewsChannel5.com.
McCadams is accused of driving a seized BMW Z-3 also used by other officials, as well as a Cadillac CTS, though it wasn’t clear whether McCadams drove the vehicles for his drug enforcement duties or his personal use, according to the report (PDF). He is also accused of using a Harley Davidson motorcycle, a golf cart, a go-cart, a four-wheeler and a trailer.
The report says McCadams returned a confiscated handgun and two assault rifles he had kept at his home for personal protection, along with three heat-imaging devices he kept there. He also is accused of allowing dignitaries to use a drug task force helicopter to fly to high school football games. The Sun was not able to reach McCadams for comment.
An administrative assistant for the drug task force is accused of stealing and selling seized drugs and pawning seized jewelry. The inmates were performing maintenance tasks at a shop area for the drug task force when they discovered the drugs.
The report cites a lack of adequate oversight. An independent prosecutor has been asked to determine whether any charges are warranted, the Jackson Sun reports in a different article.
NewsChannel5.com released this statement by McCadams: “We agree with the recommendations of the audit, and have immediately adopted policies and procedures to incorporate these recommendations. … We believe the new policies will guard against any future occurrences.”
