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CLEAR Temp: 71 °F Wind: W at 3 mph Sunday, June 8, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 6, 2003 Medical examiner under investigation Longtime sheriff’s deputy Spencer Smith is placed on leave while probe unfolds, says Shiriff Mike Winters By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Spencer Smith was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday after an internal audit discovered he left work during normal office hours and used a county vehicle to perform contract work for other agencies. "I put him on leave this morning at 8 a.m., and the case is under investigation," said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters. Smith, who has worked for the sheriff’s department since 1978, received a salary of $50,043 during 2002. Smith used a county-owned personal computer and vehicle when conducting autopsies and other contract investigations for Josephine and other counties, concluded a Jackson County audit that was released Thursday. Advertisement A review of Josephine County records showed 178 of 181 death notices from 2000-02 were received during normal work hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Smith performed some of these investigations between those hours, according to Josephine County officials. The audit stated Smith ignored a county directive that any assistance to other counties from his office must be approved and billed directly to Jackson County. Records from Josephine County show total payments sent to the examiner were $3,165 in 2001 and $4,135 in 2002 — amounts that should have been sent to Jackson County. "He is billing for those examinations and keeping those payments," County Auditor Debbie Taylor told commissioners Thursday. "When asked about these payments, the chief deputy medical examiner acknowledged he keeps the money and does not turn it over to the county," the audit stated. The audit, which also reviewed other practices in the medical examiner program, stated Smith had been sent notification to follow proper county procedures on Dec. 27, 2001. However, on Jan. 15, 2003, Josephine County officials confirmed they were still making payments to Smith for recent contract services. According to the audit, Smith said he goes off-the-clock when performing services for other counties, although he could not provide written documentation to substantiate the claim. "He further commented that he was never told he could not drive his vehicle to other counties to investigate deaths in those jurisdictions," the audit stated. A computer owned by Jackson County was used to prepare billing statements sent to other counties for these examinations. "The county has not received reimbursement for services provided by the chief deputy medical examiner to other jurisdictions or for the use of the county-owned equipment involving other governmental agencies," the audit stated. The audit concluded that the contract work could be perceived as a conflict of interest, and said Smith failed to make the required notifications to the county administrator of his extra employment. Winters, who has named Deputy Tim Pike as interim deputy medical examiner, said an internal investigation will be conducted by the Professional Standards Unit as a follow-up to the audit. After reviewing the sheriff’s department’s budget when he first took office in January, Winters said he noticed irregularities in the medical examiner program, leading to the audit. Smith could not be reached for comment Thursday. A recorded message at his office stated he would not be coming to work that day. County Commissioner Dave Gilmour, who had reviewed the audit, responded, "We should follow the letter of the law for using county resources and equipment." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times