CAVE SPRINGS -- Arkansas State Police is investigating the city's administrators amid accusations of wrongdoing, and a state audit of city finances also is under way.
Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith wrote a letter to Col. Bill Bryant, director of State Police, on Feb. 10 and asked police launch an investigation.
City Turmoil
Mayor Travis Lee has been embroiled in disputes with both City Council members, chiefly Mary Ann Winters, and Kimberly Hutcheson, the city’s recorder/treasurer whom he sent home in September. He said he sent Hutcheson home because she created a hostile work environment for city employees. Hutcheson, who has accused Lee of overstepping his duties, has filed a lawsuit against the city. Two former city employees, Nathan Coy and Jaci Hawkins, have a lawsuit against Hutcheson, accusing her of unfairly targeting them.
Source: Staff Report
"Numerous citizens have contacted my office making various allegations of criminal wrongdoing by elected officials and city employees of Cave Springs," Smith said in the letter. "After reviewing this information, I have determined that a formal investigation is required to determine the validity of these allegations."
Smith said Wednesday he couldn't comment on the investigation nor describe the allegations.
"I always approach every issue the same, if there's an issue of criminal wrongdoing that needs to be investigated, then I request an investigation," Smith said. "The allegations have to involve the potential commission of some crime. It doesn't mean it happened. An investigation is proof of nothing. Everyone is innocent until they are proven guilty."
Mayor Travis Lee said he has been interviewed by State Police and thinks the investigation is about him.
"I don't want to speculate, because I've never met Mr. Smith, (but) he's probably heard so many things about me that he wants to get them cleared up, and once he gets them cleared up he can move onto other stuff," Lee said.
Lee said there has been no wrongdoing on his part.
"I can say with 100 percent certainty that none of the allegations are true and are just rumor and gossip," Lee said.
Alderman Mary Ann Winters, who has accused Lee of misspending city money, said she also has been interviewed by State Police, but had no comment about the investigation.
Lee has answered Winters' accusations of misspending by saying all his spending initiatives were City Council-approved and he welcomes an audit of city finances.
Arkansas Legislative Audit in Little Rock is doing a routine audit on the city for the years 2015 and 2016, said Marti Steel, deputy legislative auditor .
The audit started in early February and the field work phase is nearly finished. The findings still must go through multiple review processes within Legislative Audit before being released, Steel said.
Smith mentioned the audit in his letter to Bryant.
"I am confident that many of the issues of concern will be examined during the audit," Smith said. "If the employees of legislative audit are agreeable, I believe it would be wise to utilize their expertise regarding the financial activities of Cave Springs during your investigation."
Steel said she couldn't comment on whether State Police contacted her agency. However, Smith said he thinks State Police has spoken to Legislative Audit.
Lee said State Police has interviewed many city employees and he thinks a "couple" of City Council members. Alderman Larry Fletcher said he hasn't been interviewed.
Liz Chapman, public information officer for State Police, said she cannot comment on the status of the investigation. The investigation has been ongoing for several weeks and should be wrapped up in the "near future," Smith said.
"When the investigation is complete, we will lay out a full accounting of what they have done and what they have found," Smith said.
Angie Caruthers, a Cave Springs resident, said she's disappointed in city officials.
"It's disappointing to me that elected officials are so ill-prepared to do the jobs that they are elected for," she said.
Caruthers said she's considering running for an elected city position.
"When the only options you have are people who want to put their name on the ballot and don't want to do or don't want to learn, as a citizen who has the qualifications to do something about it, you take it into consideration," Caruthers said.
NW News on 04/27/2017