More Machine Politics in 1988

Once again -- as reported in the statewide newspaper:

Perry County Sheriff James Hester contended Wednesday that Pam Edwards, a former jail secretary, destroyed or hid county records to protect his predecessor. Hester said "certain receipt books, financial records and other documents" under Edwards' "exclusive control" were discovered to be missing during an audit a few months before he fired her in January. Hester, who who was found innocent of a misdemeanor ethics charge January 27, made his allegations in a response to a federal lawsuit filed by Edwards. In her suit, Edwards said Hester fired her because she testified before the county Grand Jury that indicted him in December. Hester faces another charge of alleged incompetence, malfeasance and misfeasance, and a trial has been set for later this month. Hester said that during a meeting with "the deputy prosecuting attorney and the State Police investigator" they indicated Edwards was suspected of taking the records "to protect her then-fiance and former employer," former Sheriff Ray Byrd. Edwards' attorney, Larry Vaught of Little Rock, said the receipt book had been missing for some time and that "everbody in the sheriff's office had access to it." (He said it was Edwards who discovered the book was missing. Vaught said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Adams, who prosecuted Hester on the first charges, had told Vaught he didn't remember such a discussion. Adams couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday. Hester, who took office January 1, 1987, said he kept Edwards on the payroll with "the expectation she would be faithful in the performance of her duties." (But he contended she became "so engrossed" in her personal affairs that she didn't do her job. He said that "leading up to her dismissal she was openly and flagrantly carrying on a romance with her former employer, who was then married." (Hester said the relationship "became so flagrant and notorious that it hampered the performance" of the sheriff's office. Also Wednesday, Perry County, which had been named as a co-defendant in Edwards' suit, asked the court to make Hester liable for any damages or attorneys' fees that the County might be judged to owe Edwards.The Arkansas Gazette261315 Former secretary destroyed records, sheriff contends SCOTT MORRIS Perry County Sheriff James Hester contended Wednesday that Pam Edwards, a former jail secretary, destroyed or hid county records to protect his predecessor. Hester said "certain receipt books, financial records and other documents" under Edwards' "exclusive control" were discovered to be missing during an audit a few months before he fired her in January. Hester, who who was found innocent of a misdemeanor ethics charge January 27, made his allegations in a response to a federal lawsuit filed by Edwards.