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Graham County approves use of RICO forfeiture funds for Safford Police equipment
Summary
The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved using seized RICO funds to buy equipment requested by the Safford Police Department, with county attorney and supervisors describing the funds as forfeiture proceeds not drawn from taxpayers.
Graham County supervisors on Sept. 15 approved a motion to use RICO forfeiture funds to buy equipment for the Safford Police Department. County Attorney Scott Bennett asked the board to permit the purchase and described the funding source as forfeiture proceeds.
Bennett told the board, “RICO funds are not taxpayer money. They're funds that have been forfeited by individuals committing criminal acts.” He said the funds are held specifically “for the use of law enforcement.”
County leadership discussed coordination with local agencies; one supervisor said the request was “absolutely well needed” and voiced full support. A motion to approve the expenditure passed unanimously.
The board did not specify the exact equipment to be purchased or the dollar amount during the public discussion. The request came from Safford Police Department through county channels and was presented by the county attorney. No public comment was recorded on the item.
The board’s approval authorizes the county to draw on RICO-designated forfeiture funds for the stated law-enforcement purchase; no additional budget appropriation from general-tax revenue was indicated during the meeting.
The board moved to its next agenda item after the vote.
