Philadelphia Sheriff Loosens Grip on Previous Sheriff's Cash Stash
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia's new sheriff is turning over much of the millions in unclaimed money found in accounts when the previous sheriff, John Green, left office at the end of last year.
Sheriff Barbara Deeley is releasing $40 million of the $56 million sitting in sheriff's office accounts when she took over for John Green at the beginning of 2011 (see related story).
This is money that was left over from sheriff's sales during the previous decade but never returned to the original property owners.
Deeley isn't speculating why that money was allowed to accumulate, but she acknowledges the authorities are looking into that.
"Why was that much money in the accounts? That's a question that the federal, state, and local agencies are now looking into," she told reporters today.
In the meantime, Deeley has transferred $20 million to the city, and turned over $20 million to the state officials who have the responsibility to distribute unclaimed funds. Deeley says people who believe they have money coming to them should contact the sheriff's office.
Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060
