Records show Woodward County Sheriff improperly reimbursed for travel

Monday, April 11th 2005, 6:24 am

By: News On 6

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) -- Records show Woodward County Sheriff Les Morton billed county taxpayers up to $500 a month for use of his personal vehicle while also driving hundreds of miles a week in county-owned vehicles.

A 1999 attorney general's opinion indicates that could be a violation of state law.

The sheriff racked up many of those miles driving county vehicles to Oklahoma City and Norman. During those trips, he billed the county for about $1,500 in meals during a recent 18-month period.

Morton is under investigation by a special prosecutor and state auditors who are scrutinizing his travel claims.

Morton did not return telephone calls from The Oklahoman to his office seeking comment.

But the sheriff's attorney says Morton told him every trip to Oklahoma City was legitimate.