A sheriff in Alabama misused over $750,000 intended for inmate food to buy a luxury beach house. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin justified this by pointing to an outdated state law allowing sheriffs to keep “excess” funds for themselves. The law was passed before World War II, but its application in modern times raises ethical questions about the use of public funds.
Entrekin purchased a four-bedroom home with a pool and canal access for $740,000, using money meant for the welfare of the county’s inmates. The sheriff reported making more than $250,000 annually from these inmate food funds. This has led to widespread public backlash, as the funds were designated for a basic human need: nutrition.
The controversy escalated when, just three days after the story broke, Entrekin reportedly imprisoned a journalist’s source. This act was seen as an attempt to silence critics and suppress negative publicity. Imprisoning a source not only violates press freedoms but also raises alarm about the unchecked power of law enforcement officials.
The incident shines a light on the misuse of public money and the dangers of weak accountability mechanisms. This case will likely fuel ongoing debates over the ethics of public funding, law enforcement practices, and the protection of journalistic freedoms.
Sources:
CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alabama-sheriff-legally-used-750k-in-inmate-food-funds-bought-beach-house/
Fox 5 Atlanta: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/sheriff-legally-used-750k-in-inmate-food-funds-for-740k-beach-house/