JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — For years, we have covered Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods's struggle to get claims approved by the county judge— now, he is saying that there are more than 100,000 dollars that have yet to be paid because of this.
"It's been repeated attempts to undermine the operations. This is not a matter of not having the funding to support the things we need to operate. It's a matter of the county judge recognizing the need for those things," said Sheriff Woods.
In 2022, Sheriff Woods filed a lawsuit against Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson for dozens of denied claims to pay vendors.
These claims were for payment of services, like inmates' food and medical care.
According to court documents, out of 2,000 claims submitted by the sheriff's office 93 were denied, and that no other department in Jefferson County was subject to similar denials.
The judge said this was unpredictable and impulsive and the county judge must start clearly stating a reason for denial of claims so it doesn't happen again.
Now, Robinson is in contempt of court for not following the court's order.
"I think it's a travesty that taxpayers dollars are being spent to defend on his part things that are obviously intentional, deliberate, and retaliatory," said Sheriff Woods.
The judge explained how the denied claims were ones that were not submitted correctly.
In a statement sent to us, he said the following:
"The judge's ruling is what it is, but I respectfully disagree with the judge's ruling... I feel this is strictly a political move on the sheriff's part to try and discredit me in public."
Sheriff Woods said he will go back to court if this continues to happen.
Robinson was also ordered to pay for the sheriff's legal fees.
However, this isn't the only lawsuit he is involved in. He is also being sued by an employee who he refused to pay.
Robinson is also scheduled to be in front of the legislative audit committee next week. He was found to be in non-compliance of Arkansas law.