ROBESON PROBE CONTINUES TO REVEAL CORRUPTION

Last week probably wasn't the happiest of times for former Robeson
County Sheriff Glenn Maynor.

First came the revelation that he used on-duty deputies to move his
belongings into his new home, while he was sheriff.

Then came word that since he retired in December 2004, he spent the
more than $70,000 remaining in his campaign accounts, mostly on
personal expenses. On-duty deputies also helped landscape his new
home and directed traffic during the move. Robeson County District
Attorney Johnson Britt says the use of on-duty deputies was confirmed
in the 3 1/2-year state and federal investigation of the Sheriff's
Office. Operation Tarnished Badge has resulted in charges against
seven former Robeson deputies and two former Lumberton police officers.

Most of the deputies worked under Maynor, reporting directly to him
while he supervised the drug-investigation unit. No charges have been
brought against Maynor. DA Britt said the State Bureau of
Investigation or the Internal Revenue Service -- the agencies heading
the investigation -- would have to decide whether to charge Maynor in
connection with the move.

Spending the remainder of a campaign account has long been a practice
of retired North Carolina politicians. Until now, it has been legal.

The General Assembly session just concluded has banned the practice,
effective Oct. 1. Bob Hall, who runs the watchdog group Democracy
North Carolina, told the Observer that such spending by retired
politicians has been common, but "it is very unusual for it to be as
much as ... $70,000." Operation Tarnished Badge has uncovered
extensive wrongdoing in the Robeson Sheriff's Office. The district
attorney has had to drop hundreds of drug charges as a result.

The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected. In
July, former detective Patrick Ferguson was charged in the 2004
kidnapping of two Virginia men. Two other former officers recently
pleaded guilty to money-laundering charges.

The good cops in the Sheriff's Office -- and there are plenty of them
- -- must continue to serve well and proudly.

But they have a difficult burden as long as the investigation continues.

We hope it is nearing its completion, and that it will thoroughly
root out whatever corruption plagued the office. Meanwhile, the
residents and government of Robeson County must remain vigilant and
take care that their law-enforcement agencies never again slip to such levels.