Dawes sheriff being investigated

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) -- Dawes County Sheriff Karl Dailey has confirmed that he and his former chief deputy are being investigated by state authorities over the handling of titles for abandoned vehicles.

Dailey said he thinks the investigation is politically motivated, but he declined to give details.

Dailey said he thinks the investigation centers on his department's signing over titles of abandoned cars to the property owners on the land where the cars were left. He said that allowed the cars to either be put back on the tax rolls or disposed of properly.

Dailey said he was initially told the questioning focused on the chief deputy, Steve Crile. But he said the investigation expanded to include him.

Dailey said the stress of the investigation led Crile to retire after two decades with the department.

Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins told The Associated Press on Tuesday that she had no immediate information on the investigation. A Chadron number listed for Crile has been disconnected.