In 2012 $5 million was seized by Delaware law enforcement from people who were arrested but in some cases never criminally charged.
That’s the finding by the Wilmington News Journal which reports that much of the money was used the buy items ranging from armored Humvees and helicopters to coffeepots and margarita machines.
The paper notes that law enforcement has been shielded from the public about just what they spend the money on.
The money goes into the Special Law Enforcement Assistance Fund where 8 prosecutors and law enforcement officials make decisions about the distribution of the money.
Supporters of the practice say it is essential in keeping criminals from using ill-gotten gains to defend themselves while funding police departments.
But critics say it’s simply a way for police departments to put more money into their budgets.
