Audit: LA Sheriff's Managers Misused Aircraft

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An audit has found that Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department managers improperly used the department's aircraft for personal use.

The Los Angeles Times reports that a county audit found officials used a helicopter to give a commander's daughter a ride to a party.

In another instance, a department airplane was used to fly to Connecticut, racking up a $35,000 bill for a flight that was likely slower than taking a commercial flight.

The audit was prompted by a Times report about allegations officials were abusing aircraft privileges to delay emergency calls and make a case for more overtime pay.

The audit didn't find evidence to support those claims or evidence time sheets were manipulated, leading department spokesman Steve Whitmore to call the audit an exoneration from those accusations.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)