Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Jim Lawson says an inquiry into allegations he improperly spent grant funds designated for the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group has shown no wrongdoing on his part. Scottsbluff Police Chief and Wing project coordinator Alex Moreno confirmed in a press release that Lawson was replaced as "Wing" Director during the group's board meeting in Kimball Thursday, although he was allowed to remain on the Board.

The Gering Citizen says an unnamed source indicates Lawson is accused of paying an employee to update the Sheriff's department website and using funds set aside for the WING program. Lawson says an inquiry by the investigative group that will be detailed in a letter from Moreno to the State Crime Commission indicates there was no intentional misuse of funds.

Lawson says the inquiry showed the need to "plug some holes and change some accounting and operational procedures" so there is "no chance of this happening again in the future." Lawson says he's convinced the letter to the Commission will clear up the issue.

In the news release Moreno said the WING Board did announce after an executive session that Scott Bluff County would be reimbursing the Nebraska Crime Commission grant for 107 hours of work not properly documented. Lawson says the issue goes back to 2005 and "involves probably a little over a thousand dollars." Lawson says he "accepts full responsibility" for mistakes made.

In a written statement to the board, Lawson indicated he "didn't want the issues to reflect negatively on the Task Force" . Chadron Police Chief Tim Lordino was picked to replace Lawson as Director.