HASKELL MORSE

OK, it’s not charter jet travel, but it smacks of the same sort of attitude. The Hope Star reports that Hempstead County Judge Haskell Morse got into hot water for getting the county to buy him a new $65,000 truck (more than $66,000 counting bed cover and mats) and then using it for a personal vacation to Yellowstone.

Called down by a member of the Quorum Court, Morse first defended use of the truck as legal since he paid for gas. But then he reversed course. He issued a letter apologizing for a “grave indiscretion in judgment.” He’s written a check reimbursing the county at the standard IRS rate.  He said, in part:

Advertisement

I know my decision may be the end of my service, but if that is the will of the citizens of Hempstead County and the good Lord, then I accept those consequences.

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Arkansas Supreme Court says legislative pork barrel scheme unconstitutional, reverses Piazza Next article Bed bugs worth half-million verdict for Arkansas family