Drug Forfeiture Money Returned To Plymouth Township

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI — Plymouth Township stands to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars after the U.S. Department of Justice removed a freeze on drug forfeiture money. About $185,000 had been frozen by the federal government after it accused the township of misusing funds as late as last year.

Those funds have been released for use by the township police department for equipment and training purposes. Police Chief Tom Tiderington expects more to follow from pending court cases. Police agencies seize assets during drug-related investigations.

An audit from September 2015 revealed the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees, specifically then-Treasurer Ron Edwards's office, had oversight of the drug forfeiture fund that should have been managed by Police Chief Tom Tiderington. The DOJ revealed that certain money was used to pay expenses, such as civilian salaries, not permitted from the fund.

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The DOJ stepped in after Tiderington became so concerned over the situation that he notified federal officials, who ultimately demanded the township board transfer about $185,000 from the general fund to the drug forfeiture fund. However, the DOJ said the money couldn't be used until the situation over misspent funds was resolved.

Read more on the story via the Plymouth Observer.

Photo courtesy of Plymouth Township