Prosecutor: No Case Against Sweetwater Co. Sheriff

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A special prosecutor has concluded that no criminal charges are merited against Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell following a state investigation into his expenditures including directing county funds to family members.

Casper District Attorney Mike Blonigen says the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation probe found no evidence that Haskell broke the law.

The Rock Springs Rocket-Miner reported last year that Haskell’s office had spent $47,000 hiring a company owned by Haskell’s son to guard a man at a Utah hospital. The newspaper also reported Haskell’s office spent more than $4,000 buying greeting cards from a company owned by Haskell’s daughter-in-law.

Blonigen says there are few restrictions on elected officials steering business to relatives. He says voters must judge Haskell’s performance.

Lawyer Steve Palmer represents Haskell and declined comment Wednesday.