Greene County Commission files lawsuit against sheriff over $4.97 million in missing bingo funds

EUTAW, Ala. —

The Greene County Commission has filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Jonathan Benison, seeking repayment of $4.97 million in missing bingo revenue identified in a state audit.

The audit initially found $5.3 million unaccounted for, later reduced to $4.97 million by the chief examiner. Of that amount, $3.1 million was attributed to bingo-fund incentive payments made to employees in addition to their county-paid salaries, with auditors noting a lack of adequate documentation for these payments.

Another $2.1 million in bingo fund payments went to consultants, attorneys, merchants, individuals, restaurants, hotels, repair shops, gas stations and grocery stores, also without sufficient documentation, according to the audit.

The lawsuit, filed this week, alleges that the sheriff’s use of bingo assessments for salary supplements and other law enforcement expenses violated the constitutional amendment authorizing bingo in Greene County. The commission says the amendment requires that bingo funds be used to support the public welfare of the county’s citizens.

Read the full lawsuit here.

In a statement, Greene County Commission Chair-elect Garria Spencer said, “We waited. We asked. We have heard nothing. The Commission has a duty to the people of this county to protect public money, and we are not going to let nearly five million dollars sit unaccounted for while our ambulances go unfunded. If the State will not collect it, Greene County will.”

Spencer added that until the attorney general or district attorney steps in to assist, the commission will take matters into its own hands.

The audit findings have been sent to the district attorney and attorney general for collection.

Several Greene County residents said they were not entirely surprised by the situation but still found it troubling.

Sheriff Benison has not responded to requests for comment.

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