New details have emerged surrounding the FBI's investigation into the Pima County Sheriff's Department of its alleged misspending of anti-racketeering RICO funds.
In September, second-in-command Chris Radtke was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit laundering and theft of federal funds.
The indictment shows Radtke and others inappropriately spent about $500,00.
According to the FBI indictment, Radtke donated RICO funds to the Sheriff's Auxillary Volunteers. He and others made it appear that RICO money was being used by the SAV, but he used SAV checks and credit card to pay for items not permitted by law.
In a news conference earlier this month, Sheriff Nanos said he would investigate.
"I will be meeting with each and every one of my command staff within the organization and will take the time necessary to explain to them the extent I understand and am able to disclose and how and why certain events came to be," he said.
Documents obtained by KGUN9 show the money -- to be "used to fund the Sheriff's Auxilary Volunteers" -- which include patrols, neighborhood watch, field operations and crime prevention were dubbed all "permissible uses" of RICO funds.
No other details had been given.
In the FBI indictment, the money was used for things like included restaurant bills, a Santa Sleigh, model airplanes and artwork.
A Pima County Attorney official told us there wasn't any indication the money would be used for anything other than the Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers.
We reached out to Sheriff Nanos for comment. He responded:
"It would be inappropriate for me to comment until the FBI has completed their investigation. It is my understanding they're near completion."
Radtke next appears in court Nov. 2.
