Windham County Sheriff's Department
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April 6, 2007 - (WCAX-TV) - "Prominent Democratic Leaders Spar" - (Return to News)

Montpelier, Vermont -- April 5, 2007

Two powerful Democrats are blaming each other for failing to take action on a proposal to protect the public from elected officials who steal public funds.

"I know the outrage and the number of legislators who were calling here in the Windham County Sheriff's case saying how can we get her out?" said Attorney General William Sorrell, D-Vermont, discussing the outraged calls he received in September 2005 after Windham County Sheriff Sheila Prue refused to step aside after she was charged with embezzling public funds.  She was accused of stealing $74,000. But under Vermont law , she cold stay on the job because unless elected officials are impeached or convicted,  they can remain in office and  retain control of the public funds  they allegedly looted.

"When it's public funds, embezzling public funds, when you're in public office, that seems like a serious issue to me," explained Sorrell. Starting in late January he and his staff  urged key lawmakers to enact a law that would mandate suspension of sheriffs charged with embezzling public funds. He says the law could easily be designed to include all elected officials. But nothing happened.

"We've been told that  prominent legislators are too busy to get to that this session and uh that's frustrating to us," said Sorrell.

"I think the disappointing part of this story is that if the Attorney General had communicated clearly with us early on in this session , we'd have passed this bill," responded Sen  Pres. Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham County.

"You know we have to ensure that elected officials are held to the same standard as everybody else," added Shumlin.

Shumlin acknowledges the Attorney General personally met with him six weeks ago, and even sent a follow-up letter. But it came too late in the session

"I want to be out of here by the first week in May," said Shumlin.

"We have no doubt that the job has to be done. Legislation has to be passed. And we'll do it next year," he added.

So for at least another year sheriffs, and other public officials caught taking public funds, will get to stay on the job until they are convicted.

Brian Joyce - Channel 3 News