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Prosecutor asks council to appropriate $502,000 in seized assets for vehicles, contracts and equipment
Summary
The prosecutor requested appropriation of $502,000 in seized‑asset funds from recent forfeitures—proposing $250,000 for vehicles, $52,000 for a three‑year contract and $200,000 for equipment—and noted statutory limits require most funds be used for law enforcement.
The Vigo County prosecutor reported recent forfeitures increased the seized‑asset account and requested the council appropriate $502,000 in found money. The prosecutor said money will cover vehicles ($250,000), a three‑year contractual service ($52,000) and equipment such as firearms and tactical gear ($200,000). "Once the expenses are paid, then the money comes to our account and then by statute, majority of it is to be spent on law enforcement," the prosecutor said.
Council members sought clarification about statutory restrictions and whether money could be used for related needs such as community corrections; the prosecutor said he did not believe seized‑asset proceeds are typically used for corrections, but would explore the question. The council was told the current cash balance in the seized‑asset account is $621,708 and additional appropriations may be requested later in the year as pending legal expenses are paid.
