Former Sheriff Paul Babeu under investigation for misuse of funds

Former Sheriff Paul Babeu under investigation for misuse of funds

Former Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and former Pinal county attorney Lando Voyles are both being investigated for misuse of RICO funds.

According to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, RICO funds are generated by law enforcement activities that result in asset forfeiture.

Once the funds are seized, the proceeds are deposited into the County RICO funds and are used according to state and federal laws and guidelines.

Babeu allegedly misused these funds and the investigation started back in February 2016.

Now, a new subpoena from the U.S. District Court is asking for years of files and accounting documents to determine if the office used the money for personal and professional expenses improperly.

Editor's Note: According to the subpoena, Sheriff Mark Lamb is being summoned to appear in September with documents from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016 for "transactions evidencing misuse of county, state, or federal RICO funds by Pinal County Sheriff's Office employees". The date range is Babeu's entire tenure as sheriff of Pinal County.  Lando Voyles served as the Pinal County Attorney from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2016.