X

Judge: Rain can continue investigation of alleged drug forfeiture money misuse, grant application missteps

Posted 8/4/14

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Mary Rain will continue her investigation into alleged misuse of drug forfeiture money and the mishandling of a grant application. Judge Vito C. Caruso ruled …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Judge: Rain can continue investigation of alleged drug forfeiture money misuse, grant application missteps

Posted

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Mary Rain will continue her investigation into alleged misuse of drug forfeiture money and the mishandling of a grant application.

Judge Vito C. Caruso ruled July 31 that Rain’s investigation did not present a direct conflict of interest.

The probe had been stalled after St. Lawrence County Administrator Karen St. Hilaire filed a complaint and requested a special prosecutor be appointed to lead the investigation.

In her complaint St. Hilaire said the investigation was a conflict of interest for Rain. She also stated that Rain’s probe may have been fueled as part of a personal vendetta over office space.

In his ruling Caruso stated that the decision on whether or not to appoint a special prosecutor should be left up to the residing district attorney. His ruling also stated that claims of a vendetta should be considered by Rain in her decision.

Rain was pleased with judge’s ruling and offered a statement accusing St. Hilaire of attempting to mislead the public.

“I’m pleased with Judge Carsuo’s ruling. It clearly shows that the county’s attempts to mislead the public have failed when subjected to the review of a competent and independent court. I expect full compliance with the delivery of documents required by subpoenas issued by the grand jury,” she said in an issued statement.

Hilaire and at least five other county officials are ordered to appear for a grand jury investigation.

The subpoena issued to St. Hilaire orders the county to compile 10 years of information relating to asset forfeiture and equitable sharing accounts. Hilaire said the request is “perplexing” and appears excessive for what the county administrator believes was a mistake that she had little to do with.

The subpoenas was triggered by the claims from the district attorney's office that the county had misused drug and criminal forfeiture funds by purchasing approximately $12,000 in audio equipment for the county chambers.

Rain has also accused the county of “nonfeasance and neglect” for failing to apply for a Victim Services Grant that provides $500,000 in funding for two victim advocate positions.

The subpoena calls for all reports, papers, invoices, vouchers, order forms, account transfers, letters written and electronic, emails, texts, downloads, accounting bookkeeping documents, logs, bank records, statements, audit reports and email searches related to forfeiture assets funds and aid to prosecution funds.