DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TERRORIST FINANCING AND FINANCIAL CRIME ’ EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ASSET FORFEITURE ‘TELEPHONE: (202) 622-9600 1541 G STREET, NW. 9” FLOOR WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220 AK: (202) 622-9610 MAR 17 2008 ‘Mr. Mark Spangler, Lieutenant Austin Police | Robbery-Homicide- Special Investigations P.O. Box 689001 Austin, Texas 78768-9001 Dear Lt, Spangler: ‘This isin response to your correspondence regarding the permissible use of Department of the Treasury shared funds. © Itis our understanding that an intemal audit within the Austin Police t ‘has been initiated regarding the prior use of shared funds. Specifjeali¥4f the ‘expenditures were in accordance with the Guidelines for permissible use. ‘© The majority of the items listed appear to iavolve the expenditure of Department of the Justice shared funds. Permissible Use of Department of the Treasury Shared Funds: The use of federal shared funds to pay for overtime for temporary or full-time personnel (non law enforcement) to take 911 calls (dispatch). In accordance with Department of the Treasury Guidelines, generally, it would not be considered a permissible use of funds to pay for the overtime salaries for 911 call takers. | recognize thatthe call takers/dispatch provide ancillary benefits to law enforcement. ‘Therefore, I am hereby granting a one-time waiver forthe prior use ofthe shared funds for this purpose. Keep in mind this isa one-time waiver forthe $382,000.00 that has already been expended. Any additional use of Department of he Treasury shared funds for this ‘purpose will be considered a misuse of funds and may result in the agency's eligibility to receive future shared funds.7 In the future, prior to making any purchase or commitment to use shared funds; if the purchase is questionable as to its law enforcement purpose, falls into a “grey area” or the even gives the appearance of impropriety have someone from your agency contact a member of my staff and request a written letter offering the Department of the Treasury's ‘opinion on the expenditure. Permissible Use of Department of the Juste Shared Funds: We have prepared 8 ‘referral letter to the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. to the attention of Ms. Nancy L. Rider, Deputy Chief Asset and Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section (copy enclosed). We appreciate your candor in explaining the prior use of shared funds and for taking the initial steps to resolve any potential misuse of funds. We view the equitable sharing authority of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund as a key support component of our cooperative working relationships with state and local law enforcement ‘agencies. Our goal in deciding this issue isto foster that cooperation, while maintaining the highest degree of public confidence inthe integrity of the program. vr #7" Enélosure: Copy of Referral Letter