Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 11, 1992 TAG: 9201110318
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BRISTOL LENGTH: Medium
BRISTOL SHERIFF FACES FBI PROBE
Bristol Sheriff Marshall Honaker, president of the National Sheriffs' Association, is being investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service, whose agents searched his home and office Friday.The agencies and the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment on the investigation.
The Bristol Herald-Courier, quoting sources it did not identify, said the investigation involved the alleged embezzlement of several hundred thousand dollars from the department.
Honaker, in a statement read by his secretary, confirmed the investigation and said financial records were seized from his home and office.
"Pending completion of the investigation, Sheriff Honaker is taking annual leave to remove himself from direct supervision of the sheriff's office," the statement said.
Chief Deputy Charles A. Arnold has taken charge of the office.
Bristol Police Chief Oscar Broome said one of his men, Detective Sgt. Sam McVey, was detached Nov. 1 to assist in the federal investigation.
But Broome said he had no other information on the case.
WCYB-TV, which has a photographer who lives across the street from Honaker, reported that agents seized the home and began searching inside shortly before 10 a.m.
City Manager Paul Spangler declined to comment on the investigation. Honaker has an unpublished telephone number and could not be reached.
"We're shocked," said Charles Meeks, executive director of the Alexandria-based National Sheriffs' Association. "We're deeply distressed about it."
He said he did not know why the investigation of Honaker was being conducted.
"I know there were search warrants executed this morning and . . . a federal grand jury will be called and that our president is involved in this situation," Meeks said.
Honaker was named president of the national association in June 1990 at the group's annual meeting in Minneapolis.
His term expires this June at a meeting in San Diego.
Meeks said vice president Frank Policaro, sheriff of the Beaver County, Pa., Sheriff's Department, will assume the presidency "if President Honaker opts to resign his position."
Honaker also was to have been honored at a banquet next month in Los Angeles as the U.S. Marshal's Association law officer of the year.
Association President Bryant Herbert said Friday that Honaker "has withdrawn" and the award will go to the runner-up in the voting, Robert Colvin, commissioner of the Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Commission.