This is a continuation of a letter of appeal to the Office of Special Counsel about its March 19th rejection of GOP Sheriff’s candidate Jim Harrison’s claim that primary opponent Undersheriff Andy Zinke has violated the Federal Hatch act.

Since July 13, 2012, I have had additional information concerning receipt of federal funding by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office that appears to be relevant to your investigation:

McHenry County Sheriff’s Squad Car

On October 18, 2011, the McHenry County Board passed a Resolution (R-201110-32-256) authorizing acceptance of an IDOT Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant Award in the amount of $54,260 for the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division to conduct special enforcement for impaired driving mobilizations and/or occupant protection mobilizations.The Resolution clearly indicates that it is a federal flow-through grant.

The patrol division is within the Undersheriff’s direct line of authority according to all of the organizational charts available and previously submitted to you.

There is an overlap in time between the STEP grant and the period of Undersheriff Zinke’s political campaign.

McHenry County Jail

On February 21, 2012, the McHenry County Board passed a Resolution (R-201202-32-038) authorizing the acceptance of 2011 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Award as reimbursement for housing criminal aliens in the McHenry County correctional facility and is restricted to Correctional facility expenses.

The SCAAP Award is a federal pass-through grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

The grant was in the amount of $100,820 and was appropriated to the Sheriff’s fiscal year 2012 budget to cover Security Equipment ($69,820) and Vehicle ($31,000) expenses, both areas within the Undersheriff’s authority.

Undersheriff Zinke’s campaign for Sheriff has been operative throughout the period of the SCAAP Award.

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More tomorrow.