By Jake Kincaid | Pinal Cenral
State funds earmarked to improve the condition of Pinal County’s jail were instead used to pay employee wages and compensation by former Sheriff Paul Babeu, a recently released audit shows.
According to a report from the Pinal County Internal Audit Committee, the misuse of funds goes back to 2013 and totals over $2 million.
The jail enhancement fund is given by the Arizona state treasurer to the county sheriff’s offices around the state for the purpose of enhancing county jail facilities and operations.
The jail enhancement fund guidelines state that at least 25 percent of the jail enhancement funds should be used to ensure adequate training of personnel and that the remaining funds should be used to enhance county jail facilities and operations.
