Tuesday, September 29, 2009

AP: Former Panhandle sheriff reports to prison

The Associated Press
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The former head of Florida's Sheriffs' Association has begun a three-year federal prison sentence at a Forrest City, Ark., prison camp.

Former Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris reported to the prison Monday. He was sentenced in August after pleading guilty to fraud, money laundering and conspiracy charges.

When FBI agents arrested Morris in February in Las Vegas, he had $35,000 in cash. The government traced the money to an employee bonus scheme in which Morris deposited checks in employees' accounts and asked for a portion in cash.

Investigators have said the money came from Homeland Security and Justice Department training grants.

Morris and four other former employees still face state racketeering charges.

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