Sheriff Alex Underwood Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse For Robert Sprouse: 1. In June 2017, according to spending records, you, Sheriff Underwood and two others flew first class to Reno for the NSA conference. Why first-class? Answer: The Sheriff is a large man with Knee problems and on-going medical issues; First Class is the best option. No tax payer dollars were spent!! 2. It’s our understanding and intention to print that your wives went on those flights. Is it appropriate for taxpayers to pay for spouse travel? Answer: No it is not appropriate; our wives did go on this trip and absolutely no tax payer dollars were spent, their air fare was paid for out of our pocket. 3. A spending record form sought reimbursement for the flights, saying that you, Underwood, Crawford and Neal were traveling to the conference. Please explain why money was sought on behalf of two people (Neal and Crawford) who didn’t go? (FORM ATTACHED) Answer: A PO was obtained for the flight and was reimbursed. Which is normal procedure. No money was reimbursed to Neal or Crawford who were unable to attend. 4. Why was a very expensive airport limo ($353, Blacklane) arranged when the hotel offered a free shuttle? (This is based on receipts.) Isn’t that a waste of public dollars? Answer: Again, no tax payer dollars were spent! With the hotel not being able to provide a guaranteed pick up, the car service is the best option and it was not what you would call a “Limo” it was a standard SUV. 5. You rented an expensive rental SUV ($543 for 6 days/Toyota Tacoma), according to receipts. Why not rent something cheaper and smaller? What business purpose was it used for? Answer: First of all, it was not an SUV. A Toyota Tacoma is a small pickup truck and it was the cheapest that I could get at the time. To be able to travel outside of the Hotel shuttle radius does require some form of transportation and a car rental was the best option. After all the Sheriff is on the Board of the National ______________________________________________________________________________ Chester County Sheriff’s Office 2740 Dawson Drive Chester, S.C. 29706 Phone (803) 581-5131 / Fax (803) 581-5552 Sheriff Alex Underwood Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse Sheriff’s Association and his business or duties do sometimes require him or myself to travel outside that area. I will also state again that absolutely no tax payer dollars were spent! For Alex Underwood: 1. Last year, your p-card was charged for two first-class flights to New Orleans, one for you and another for your wife, according to department’s credit card statements. Why first class? Answer: I am a very large man with prior knee surgeries and on-going medical issues. First Class was the best option. 2. Why take your wife? Answer: The NSA Conference provides many events in which the Sheriff’s spouse is invited and encouraged to attend. 3. Why didn’t Angel Underwood make the flight and go to New Orleans? Answer: Unforeseen circumstances. 4. The flight was non-refundable, according to receipts and I found no evidence that it was refunded. Did you or Angel Underwood pay the county back? If so, please supply evidence of repayment. Answer: The County did NOT pay her flight. I won a free expense paid trip during the previous conference. The NSA paid for both our Flights, hotel and registration. 5. In New Orleans, Underwood hired Blacklane limos for $100 a trip. Why? (A taxi costs $36 each way.) Answer: “Blacklane Limo” is the name of the company. I did NOT reserve a limo, NOR was I picked up in one. I was picked up in a standard vehicle. Because of my schedule, reliable and safe transportation is the best option for me. ______________________________________________________________________________ Chester County Sheriff’s Office 2740 Dawson Drive Chester, S.C. 29706 Phone (803) 581-5131 / Fax (803) 581-5552 Sheriff Alex Underwood Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse 6. Please explain why you missed the return flight home? We’re told and intend to print that you wanted to spend another night to enjoy yourself? Answer: You were told a LIE! I missed my flight because of traffic. I had to sleep on an air mattress on the floor in another Deputy’s room. If I wanted to stay and enjoy myself, I could have easily gotten a room and legitimately charged it to my government credit card. 7. Receipts show you flew first-class in February 2018 to Washington, DC conference? Why first class? Answer: I have already answered this question. 8. Why did you book another expensive Blacklane airport limo in DC? (Metro is only $3) Answer: As I stated before, “Blacklane Limo” is the name of the company. I did NOT reserve a limo, NOR was I picked up in one. I was picked up in a standard vehicle. Because of my schedule, reliable and safe transportation is the best option for me. 9. In June 2017, according to spending records, you, Sprouse, and two others flew first class to Reno for the NSA conference. Why first-class? Answer: I have already answered this question. 10. It’s our understanding that your wives went. Is it appropriate for taxpayers to pay for spouse travel? Answer: No, it is not appropriate. Our spouses’ flight tickets were NOT paid for with taxpayer dollars. 11. A spending record form sought reimbursement for the flights, saying that you, Sprouse, Crawford and Neal were traveling to the conference. Please explain why money was sought on behalf of two people (Neal and Crawford) who didn’t go? Answer: This question has already been answered. ______________________________________________________________________________ Chester County Sheriff’s Office 2740 Dawson Drive Chester, S.C. 29706 Phone (803) 581-5131 / Fax (803) 581-5552 Sheriff Alex Underwood Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse 12. Why was a very expensive airport limo ($353, Blacklane) arranged when the hotel offered a free shuttle? (This is based on receipts.) Isn’t that a waste of public dollars? Answer: As I stated previously, “Blacklane Limo” is the name of the company. I did NOT reserve a limo, NOR was I picked up in one. I was picked up in a standard vehicle. Because of my schedule, reliable and safe transportation is the best option for me, especially in an unfamiliar place. 13. Why did you get a $100 a night-plus room upgrade during that conference? Isn’t that a waste of tax dollars Answer: I upgraded to a king bed. I’m 6’4”, therefore, I would prefer to sleep in a bed where my feet don’t hang off. 14. Your card was charged for another Blacklane limo, this time for $353 to take four passengers to and from airport. The airport is 2.3 miles away from the hotel. Is that an appropriate expense? Answer: I have already answered this question numerous times previously. 15. In 2012, you and your wife had a meeting with Creighton Coleman. Coleman alleges that the meeting turned heated when Coleman said it would be a conflict for him to appoint Angel and for Mr. Underwood to then run for sheriff. Coleman alleges that you agreed not to run but did so anyway after Coleman appointed Angel Underwood. Comment? Answer: No, that question is ridiculous. My wife was appointed magistrate in 2011. However your question seems to show discrimination. My wife is certainly more than qualified for the job! I would think that, then Senator Creighton Coleman would not use his power to deny employment for political reasons. I would never agree to these tactics and I’m NOT surprised that the former Senator would have told you this. 16. Immediately after taking the department’s reins, you fired 6 employees. Why? Answer: After so many years, I cannot give you a specific reason for each. 17. Do you have any comments about the confrontation with the Richburg fire chiefs? ______________________________________________________________________________ Chester County Sheriff’s Office 2740 Dawson Drive Chester, S.C. 29706 Phone (803) 581-5131 / Fax (803) 581-5552 Sheriff Alex Underwood Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse Answer: No 18. Do you have any comment about the sexual harassment trial in 2015. Answer: No 19. Records show the department has diverted thousands of dollars that were donated to animal shelter to pay for department radios and other equipment. Is this appropriate? If so, why? Answer: No Funds were diverted. Yes this is appropriate. Radios are an essential part for Animal Control Officers to effectively do their job. Those funds can be used for any operational need of the Shelter. 20. Any comments about the federal investigation related to the Kevin Simpson incident? Answer: No 21. I’ve been told that deputies were called off ongoing investigations to work on your property in preparation for the construction of the barn. Please comment on whether it’s appropriate for deputies to work on the sheriff’s property on public time? Answer: You were told a LIE! First of all, the barn was already built. I was adding an addition to it. Most importantly the individuals that worked on the barn, done so on their own time, not county time. Why would I call off an ongoing investigation when I am the Sheriff and responsible for public safety. Ridiculous question. 22. Did you use donations from Boise Cascade or other Chester area businesses to the sheriff foundation to build the barn? If so, please explain. Answer: Absolutely not. The donations that you are referencing went to the projects in which they were designated to. 23. The sheriff’s card was charged on 11/1/2017 for $1,257.17 for a cabin in Gatlinburg. A purchase order said the full cost was $2,606.53 for “Mountain Cascades Lodge” Cabins for You. Reservation receipts show there were 2 adult ______________________________________________________________________________ Chester County Sheriff’s Office 2740 Dawson Drive Chester, S.C. 29706 Phone (803) 581-5131 / Fax (803) 581-5552 Sheriff Alex Underwood Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse guests for a cabin with 7 bedrooms. It’s unclear if anyone ever went. What was the purpose? Why go to Gatlinburg? Did anyone ever go? Answer: This was for a working business retreat for my Command Staff, as you see many other businesses and Departments conduct. Unfortunately after numerous attempts to go and unforeseen circumstances, no one was able to attend. No tax payer dollars were spent. 24. Any comment about the Charlotte Observer report about S.T.O.R.M., including comments by psychologists who said it was a form of abuse? Answer: No ______________________________________________________________________________ Chester County Sheriff’s Office 2740 Dawson Drive Chester, S.C. 29706 Phone (803) 581-5131 / Fax (803) 581-5552