Federal prosecutors in Shreveport charged B. Sanford with conspiracy to commit a crime. They allege that, using an unindicted subordinate at the police union, he siphoned off money that donors to the union had intended for charitable purposes.
Prosecutors did not specify the amount of the alleged theft, which went on for at least two years, but cited two charitable programs where money was taken: Shop With a Cop, which raises money for underprivileged children to go Christmas shopping; and a program to publish a book that would tell students about the dangers of opioid drugs. The book was never published, prosecutors said. Assistant U. Attorney Alexander Van Hook would not comment on whether others are under investigation.
Prosecutors did not name the union employee, who was hired to do fundraising. He was not indicted. No arraignment date has been scheduled for Sanford to answer the new charges. He has been in federal custody since his arrest this summer. Sanford, 52, is also facing malfeasance charges in Bossier Parish.
Prosecutors there say Sanford, facing the loss of a lucrative moonlighting job as an apartment-complex security officer, misused confidential police information in an effort to intimidate the apartment manager who was letting him go. He has pleaded not guilty.
Sanford is also under a previous federal indictment charging him with fraudulently obtaining prescription painkillers with the assistance of the union employee who did fundraising. He has pleaded not guilty, as has the union employee, Mitch Morehead.
