Apache County and Cost of Prosecuting

By Criss Candelaria, Apache County Attorney

Brian Hounshell's admission to public corruption last December represented a victory for good government. It vindicated the efforts of public officials, investigators, county employees who brought these misdeeds to light.

Hounshell's corruption is notable in that none of the acts for which he was accused were done to benefit anyone other than himself. While a lot of criticism exists for the expenditures and use of resources in the Sheriff's Department under Hounshell, and whether they benefited the residents of Apache County, or just his favorites, the investigation and charges all concerned incidents in which he used County and Sheriff Department resources to feather his own nest.

Brian Hounshell's admissions of guilt contrast sharply with his previous false protestations of innocence, and claims of racially biased treatment.

His attempts to manipulate the voters through personal attacks on his accusers, investigators, and the public officers and officials who stood up to him are revealed as totally self-serving and intended to allow him to perpetuate his misconduct in office.

Misuse of public monies, misuse of positions of power, misuse of public sentiment, particularly for personal gain, are not to be tolerated.

Hopefully, his conviction and sentencing are positive steps in securing justice, and restoring public trust and confidence in county government and in law enforcement that are operated for the benefit of the residents, and not the personal gain of public officials. Finally, our residents are assured that their officials have the strength to do their duty despite pressure to close their eyes to the misdeeds of those with whom they had hoped they could put their trust.

© 2008 Criss Candelaria