BENTON -- Two former Saline County sheriff's office officials pleaded innocent Monday to charges that they abused public trust and stole thousands of dollars of the county's money.
Bruce Pennington, former Saline County sheriff, and Jo Nell Mallory, former chief deputy of finance for the sheriff's office, each face two felony charges -- abuse of public trust and theft of property.
Pennington, 63, is accused of getting a man out of his court-ordered community service in exchange for the installation of free granite countertops in his home. He is also accused of cashing a $1,000 check made out to the sheriff's office for SWAT team vests and using it for personal expenses.
Pennington faces an additional misdemeanor charge of theft of property over allegations he took between $700 and $800 from inmate calling-card kiosks to pay court fees stemming from his alcohol-related convictions.
He resigned from his position as sheriff in October after being convicted of misdemeanor public intoxication and resisting arrest.
Ray Baxter, Pennington's attorney, declined to comment.
"Everybody is presumed innocent at this stage of the proceedings," Baxter said.
Pennington did not answer calls to his home Monday afternoon, and his voice mail was not set up.
Mallory, 60, is accused of waiving court fees and fines for a man in exchange for his brother installing tile at her home without charging for labor.
She is also accused of taking between $2,500 and $3,000 from inmate calling-card kiosks for personal use.
Mallory was given the option to resign in October, which she initially did. She later withdrew the resignation and was fired.
Mallory's attorney, Patrick Benca, did not return several phone messages left with his office Monday. A telephone number for Mallory was not listed, and she could not be reached for comment.
Pretrial hearings for Pennington and Mallory were set for July 21.
Another former sheriff's office employee, Michael Frost, 59, was also arrested during the investigation.
Frost, formerly the lieutenant over the criminal investigations division, is charged with illegal use of a communication facility and delivery of a controlled substance.
He is accused of giving drugs to a federal confidential informant.
Frost retired from the sheriff's office Jan. 16.
Frost pleaded innocent at his arraignment last Tuesday. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 12, according to a statement from his attorney, Parker Jones.
Frost denies the charges against him, according to the statement.
"Mr. Frost has a long and distinguished service in law enforcement," according to the statement.
"He respects the judicial process and asks for patience in allowing the process to run its course and not to rush to judgment. He is confident that after all the evidence is presented, a jury will know what he already knows: he is not guilty of the charges which have been filed against him."
Special prosecutor Cody Hiland said additional charges might be filed in connection with the investigation, though he would not say what the charges might be.
Metro on 06/10/2014