Skip to main content

QUESTIONS ABOUT AN ABC VEHICLE

In December 2009 the ABC purchased a new 2010 Dodge Charger for $16,378.00 (Capital Outlay).  In July 2010 state vehicle use was raised in articles in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette regarding the number of state vehicles, the cost of acquiring and operating them, and how many were used for commuting. At that time, about 2,000, including law enforcement employees, were commuter vehicles. 

CLICK TO VIEW PURCHASE DOCUMENT

In addition to the news coverage, there were several law suits filed. One, by Little Rock attorney Eugene Sayre, that wanted state vehicles may be used only for official business and seeks to force employees to pay money back to the state for nonofficial use of the vehicles.
The second, by the state Republican Party, that wanted that personal use of state vehicles by state elected officials violates the salary-limiting provision of Amendment 70 of the state constitution.
As a result of all the hoopla Gov. Mike Beebe issued an Executive Order on October 5, 2010 that stating that commuting between home and work in a state-owned vehicle will no longer be allowed except when "a legitimate state business purpose is established."
All of this caused the vehicle to be transferred from exclusive use at the ABC to the DFA vehicle pool.
Then in 2013, the ABC "bought" the vehicle back for $16, 161.69. This makes no sense.




To calculate depreciation expense on a fixed asset without a salvage value the cost is divided by the life.

SL – Cost / Life

The annual depreciation is calculated as follows:
16378 / 6 = 2730


Each year for 6 years $2,730.00 would be expensed.  At the end of 6 years the book value of the asset would be zero (the cost of $16,378.00 less 6 years depreciation expense at $2,730.00 per year).


So when the vehicle was transferred or "re-purchased" from the DFA vehicle pool back to ABC the Capital Outley or value of the vehicle, based on the straight line method of depreciation, would be approximately $7,966.00 not $16,161.69. Let's hope it was an accounting error that has gone unnoticed.

Before you shake your head and go do something else, let's look back at the email from Joel DiPippa. Joel says that the vehicle (it is incorrectly listed as a Dodge Avenger) is assigned to Rick Crisman . Yep, that's the same Rick that uses his position for personal gain and benefit.

If you look up the vehicle on the DFA web site you will find this:


VEHICLE INFORMATION

Notice that is states that the vehicle is "Unassigned" and not a "drive home" vehicle.  But Joel says it is assigned to Rick.  Furthermore Joel points out Rick has the vehicle pursuant to Executive Order 10-14 (5) (b).


Well, isn't that special. What would have to happen for the Deputy Director of ABC ,who's actual job title /function is education and instruction analyst, to have to get up in the middle of the night, jump in his state vehicle and rush off to deal with a public health, safety or welfare emergency? Perhaps an emergency training session?


Sounds like hogwash to me.  Google Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration emergency and look all at the news articles. What, you say you did not see any? Bawhaaaaa!

Another problem with this vehicle is that if is is actually assigned to Rick, a waiver is required.  Guess what... no waiver is on the DFA website.

WAIVERS 1

WAVIERS 2

So ABC has a Deputy Director that uses his position for personal gain and benefit and has questionable possession and sole use of a state vehicle.  Not surprised? Me either.


Popular posts from this blog

Bryant High School teacher accused of sexual misconduct with a student

The Bryant Police Department confirms an on-going investigation of a now former Bryant teacher, Heather Danielle (Hall) Hare. Hare (age 32) has been accused of sexual contact with a student.  Hare was featured on ABC Good Morning America in May 2020 when a course she taught was discontinued during the pandemic. At this point no details of the alleged illegal conduct have been released. Earlier today the school district posted this on a Bryant Schools Facebook page. According to on-line school board records, Hare submitted her resignation effective April 1, 2023.     Hare is married and is a resident of Conway, AR. KATV featured the Hare family in another story on October 31, 2022. Stay tuned for updates. KTHV featured Hare's daughter in several newscasts . ### ***UPDATE 04/06/23*** Bryant PD provided us with their initial report dated March 31, 2023. ***UPDATE 04/07/23*** Sources report that the Bryant High School football player involved in an "entanglement"

Three LRPD cops "relieved of duty" over incident at Club Trois

Sources at LRPD have confirmed a tip we received that three LRPD cops, Brad Stewart, Lee Pitts and Justin Sims have been "relieved of duty" in connection with an incident at Club Trois. The story we were told is that Stewart was working off-duty at Club Trois and dealt with an inebriated female club patron by soaking her with pepper spray.  LRPD General Order  ("G.O.") 303 requires that a cop that uses physical force, non-lethal control and compliance devices, on or off-duty, follow certain procedures. Use of pepper spray is a Level 4 event. Here are the specific procedures. LRPD sources tell us that they are trained to call MEMS after they use pepper spray or a taser on an individual. They are to file an incident report and they file an officer's report or letter form (5600-2) with their immediate supervisor for each use of force incident. Here's an example of an officer letter form.   Not a single procedure was followed in this incident. And to make matter

Pulaski County Department headed by State Senator Fred Love is in trouble.

By Russ Racop On July 31st we broke the story that there was an internal investigation afoot at the Pulaski County office of Community Services.   A recipient of Section 8 HVC vouchers contacted us on that same day for assistance and we began our investigation.   Her landlord contacted her and told her she had three days to get out of her apartment because she had fraudulently obtained assistance.    The landlord had been contacted by Love's staff before she had. She didn't understand what was going on because she just moved into the apartment and had been vetted and approved for assistance by Love's department. It's not the first time someone has reached out to us about Fred Love and that county department.  Love also serves in the state legislature as a Senator. We have received allegations and some records about sexual and workplace harassment, malfeasance and misuse of county resources involving Love. We immediately called the number listed on that rent payment noti