Investigation: Traffic Grant Remains Suspended
By: Jordan Vandenberge
Updated: February 8, 2013
Operation Pull Over grants remain suspended for EPD and VCSO. The grant features programs like sobriety checkpoints and seat belt enforcement efforts. The two agencies share the grant money as part of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership.
The VCSO suspended the grant after allegations against a former sheriff's deputy began to surface. Sheriff Eric Williams says the grant will remain suspended while an internal investigation runs it's course.
Former deputy Stuart Mosby is accused of what's called ghost employment. Mosby allegedly claimed to have worked a traffic grant detail - but wasn't really there, according to sources.
We can also confirm that former deputy Mosby worked off duty security details at USI.
A university spokesperson says, at this point, Mosby is not accused of any wrong doing while working for the university.
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Following allegations and a resignation, now comes the suspension of a particular traffic grant in Vanderburgh County. We have new information in the investigation into a former Vanderburgh County Sheriff's deputy's alleged wrong-doings.
As Eyewitness News first reported Tuesday, former sheriff's deputy Stuart Mosby suddenly resigned amid the allegations that Mosby falsely claimed to have worked a traffic detail that was paid for by a grant.
That grant has now been suspended and the granting authority, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, has been involved in the investigation.
Eyewitness News received confirmation that not only has the grant 'Operation Pull Over' been suspended for the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office but also the Evansville Police Department.
Because the two agencies make up the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership, the suspension of the grant affects both agencies. An EPD spokesperson stressed the grant suspension came despite the fact that no EPD officer has been suspected, implicated or even questioned of any wrong-doing.
The two agencies share a lump sum of nearly $160,000 from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute as part of Operation Pull Over. The VCSO receives $66,100 and EPD receives $93,000. Many officers and deputies work these grant details as a way to earn extra money and, in some cases, can earn a couple hundred dollars a month.
These major developments come on the heels of the resignation of former Deputy Stuart Mosby, a 17 year veteran of the VSCO. Sheriff Eric Williams confirms Mosby resigned Monday. A source tells Eyewitness News the resignation came after an internal audit raised questions about the hours Mosby claimed to have worked during a detail paid for by the grant.
As part of the ongoing investigation into those allegations, the VSCO elected to suspend the grant, according to state officials. Sheriff Williams tells Eyewitness News says he feels confident the suspension will be lifted once the investigation is complete. Additional audits are also underway. The VCSO has also been in discussions with the granting authority, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
An ICJI spokesperson released the following statement.
"As the state administrating agency of NHTSA funding, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) intends to pursue the reimbursement of any misappropriated funds. The amount of funding to be recovered is still to be determined. ICJI will continue to work with the proper authorities to ensure a timely and complete investigation.
We can confirm that the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office has decided to suspend this one particular grant pending a complete investigation. As such, ICJI will not reimburse future draw down requests until the matter is resolved."
Attempts to contact former Deputy Stuart Mosby were unsuccessful
We'll continue to follow this story.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
State, VCSO Continue Investigation Into Allegations
Deputy Resigns Amid Internal Investigation

