Balderas to Launch Audit SF County Sheriff's Dept.

State Auditor Hector Balderas announced this morning that he'll oversee a special audit of the Santa Fe County’s Sheriff’s Department and the county’s internal financial control process.

Balderas in a news release said the country had contacted him to ask for assistance following last week's resignation of  Sheriff Greg Solano. Solano admitted to selling county property -- bullet-proof vests and other items discarded by his department -- due to his personal financial problems.

“The alleged activity publicly disclosed by former Sheriff Solano is very troubling,” Balderas said. “My top priority is to assess the total loss of taxpayer dollars and prevent any further losses.”

Balderas said he's currently working with county officials to hire an independent audit firm, approved by the State Auditor, to conduct "special procedures related to the Sheriff’s Department and the County’s overall internal control structure"