Misused public fundsTransparencyOversight & ethics enforcement
Missouri State Auditor found the Wright County Sheriff's office kept a bank account and safe deposit box outside the county treasury and made $15,950 in improper and unsupported disbursements
Confidence: Confirmed · 1 sourceWright County · Oct 13, 2026
Subject of this story
Wright County Sheriff's Office (Missouri)
Also named
Oversight
Wright County Commission (Missouri)
Missouri State Auditor's Office
What happened
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick's June 2026 report on Wright County (Report No. 2026-054) states that the Sheriff's office held a bank account and safe deposit box outside the county treasury, deposited $15,000 of public funds into the account, and made 6 improper and unsupported disbursements totaling $15,950 from January 2023 through July 2025, including purchases of 2 drones and gym equipment. The report also states county officials could not locate County Commission minutes for 7 closed meetings held in 2023. The Sheriff closed the account on August 6, 2025 and turned the remaining $16,610 over to the County Treasurer.
Sources (1)
Wright County Report No. 2026-054, June 2026The Sheriff made 6 improper and unsupported disbursements from the Special Operations account totaling $15,950 from January 2023 through July 2025. Purchases included 2 drones, one of which was kept at the Sheriff's personal residence, and gym equipment that could not be located at the office or jail.
Response
Wright County Sheriff's Office (Missouri)
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.