Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE and KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I really haven't geared up yet," Rockbridge County Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Sisler said.
Sisler said his investigation would not interfere with a court order requiring Wells to provide bank records to the Roanoke Times & World-News by 5 p.m. today.
An attorney for Wells said the media will be "disappointed" if they expect the bank records to add anything to an audit released earlier this month.
The audit disclosed that Wells, until he stopped the practice in April, processed his department's payroll through a personal, interest-bearing checking account.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors has asked for an investigation to determine whether Wells violated a state law that prohibits the commingling of public and private money.
On Wednesday, Bedford Circuit Judge William Sweeney signed an order appointing Sisler special prosecutor. Bedford Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Updike had removed himself from the investigation because of his close ties to Wells.
Wells, the county's top lawman since 1974, has refused to talk with reporters since the audit was released last week.
The Roanoke newspaper went to court this week to force Wells to comply with its request for bank records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
John Alford Jr., a Lynchburg attorney hired by Wells, said the sheriff would make copies of bank statements and certain checks from the last three years available to reporters today.
by CNB