By Craig Harris | The Republic
A state audit claims former Department of Economic Security Director Tim Jeffries stockpiled an “excessive” amount of ammunition and firearms to “create his own police force” at an agency responsible for distributing social services to needy Arizonans.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation that produced a 783-page “Firearms Program Audit.” It claims DES, with Jeffries in charge, purchased 88,600 rounds of handgun ammunition and 55 handguns. Some of the purchases violated state procurement policy, the report said.
The report also said about 4,050 rounds of ammunition could not be located or accounted for and that Jeffries and two of his executives carried handguns on duty, a violation of state policy.
UPDATE:
Jeffries, in a phone interview Wednesday, said the DPS audit was filled with lies, and he called it an “embarrassment” that the agency took seven months to conduct an investigation but failed to interview him for his side of the story.
“This report is disjointed, disingenuous, deceitful and dishonorable,” Jeffries said. “Other statements are categorically slanderous, and I do plan to take issue with them.”
