June 9, 2009
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News: Florida Sheriff Scams Everyone
A retired Air Force Officer was recently arrested for credit card abuse which is just the tip of the iceberg. Florida's Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris was arrested by Federal Agents in February while vacationing in Las Vegas gambling away thousands of taxpayer's dollars. Morris is a retired Air Force Major who served 18 years of honorable military service. After retiring, his new career quickly lead him to his election as Sheriff where he participated in the credit card fraud and violated nearly every trust possible of department employees and taxpayers. An investigation was sparked when Major Larry Ashley of the Sheriff's Department became suspicious of a county paid car and gas credit card. Morris had sent the items to a female employee with vague duties and who spent little time at the office. Ashley questioned the department's Fleet Operations Director, George Wilson, who confirmed that the woman was Morris' mistress.
Ashley's continued investigation revealed that Morris had been giving employees bonuses and then telling them a portion of bonus was to be returned in cash to be donated to charity. Ashley and Wilson reported their suspicions to the FBI whose investigation lead to the massive fraudulent activities and credit card abuse. Morris used numerous grants including homeland security grants to hand out the employee bonuses who then supplied him with the cash kickbacks. It is estimated that Morris received over $114,000 in kickbacks and thousands more in illegal bonuses. Additionally, Morris had hired his mistress at over $80,000 a year who never worked and had free use of the agency's credit card and car. Morris wasted taxpayers' dollars in other ways as well. He spent over $170,000 in purchasing 41 new vehicles which he typically traded back in every four months.
Ironically, Morris was elected head of the Florida's Sheriffs Association and the State Board who is responsible for disciplining law officers that violate rules and regulations. Morris himself had been involved with and oversaw many credit card and financial fraud cases throughout his career. Morris pleaded guilty to the charges along with his Office Manager, Teresa Adams his partner in crime. Both are scheduled to be sentenced in July on charges of federal fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. The investigation continues to be conducted and prosecutors speculate additional charges could be filed against other agency employees.