LAKEPORT ? The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved an amended letter Tuesday that it will send to the California Attorney General with the hope the agency will investigate misuse of public funds in the Sheriff”s Office.
Chairman Anthony Farrington said the county should include as much information as possible, including the county audit of a Lake County Sheriff”s Office lieutenant”s helicopter use, to “try to prevent them from kicking it back to Lake County.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) grant money for Sgt. Dave Garzoli”s helicopter use did not allow for pilot training and certification before 2009, just marijuana reconnaissance and eradication.
Garzoli”s pilot log from September 1995 to November 2008 shows 21 hours at a cost of $8,500 that do not list marijuana reconnaissance or law enforcement in the remarks section, according to Matt Perry, chief deputy administrative officer who prepared the county audit. The board learned of Garzoli”s flight training after June 25 when the then lieutenant crashed a Cutting Edge Helicopter while training.
Supervisor Denise Rushing also said she wanted the letter”s wording to be strong enough so the Attorney General takes the case in order to emphasize independence and avoid the perception of a conflict of interest if the Lake County District Attorney”s Office were to investigate.
“A thorough independent investigation of this matter is required,” the letter reads. “In order to ensure that such investigation is conducted independently and to eliminate any possible public perception that those conducting the investigation might have a conflict of interest, we ask that the Attorney General initiate such an investigation.”
Sheriff Rod Mitchell maintains he was aware Garzoli was “logging flight time” but not when, where and for what, he said.
The board also agreed to send amended letters on misuse of public funds to the DEA the Federal Aviation Administration.
Board members approved amended changes to the county rule on aerobic sewage treatment systems so that people selling property have to inform buyers of the system and qualified service providers can maintain the systems rather than just the manufacturers” authorized representative. Health Services staff will bring the issue back to the board for a possible ordinance to regulate the systems and their maintenance.
The board did not appoint people to the Genetically Engineered Crops Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee as scheduled because committee members had informed board members they made a decision and will not need additional members.
Board members approved an agreement with the Unity Care Group for children”s mental health services for $25,000.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
