BENTONVILLE — A special prosecutor will be sworn in Friday to investigate a complaint that alleges Ben Lipscomb impersonated a police officer, officials said. Lipscomb is the elected city attorney for Rogers.
Marc McCune, Crawford County prosecutor, will be sworn in at 10 a.m. by Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
McCune said he personally will handle the case. He would not discuss any details of the case Thursday.
“I am not going to comment at this time,” McCune said.
Bob McMahan, director of the Arkansas Prosecutors Coordinator’s Office, selected McCune as special prosecutor.
McMahan said Thursday his office only was involved in the selection of the special prosecutor and has no other role in the investigation.
McMahan did not want to discuss the specifics of the investigation, but he did say the request concerns an allegation that Lipscomb impersonated a police officer.
Lipscomb said he had no comment concerning a special prosecutor when he was reached by phone Thursday afternoon.
Lipscomb did say there is no statute that concerns impersonating a police officer.
“It’s impersonating a law enforcement officer, and as a prosecuting attorney, I am a law enforcement officer,” Lipscomb said.
McCune was appointed after Jim Clark, Benton County prosecuting attorney, recused from the case. Clark worked as deputy city attorney for Lipscomb for more than 11 years.
“I certainly had a conflict,” Clark said.
Clark also would not comment on the specific details of the investigation.
The prosecutor’s office received a complaint that concerns Lipscomb, Clark said. The Bentonville Police Department was asked by Clark to investigate. The department’s report was then sent to the Arkansas Prosecutors Coordinator’s Office. Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson said the case is under investigation and he could not comment on it.
Rogers Mayor Greg Hines said he was aware of the situation.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment until the special prosecutor decides that the information should be made public,” Hines said late Thursday afternoon.
McMahan sent the information to McCune last week.