Gary Waters is back in the news again. Shocked by the loss in last year’s primary, Waters, former chairman of the Portsmouth city Democratic committee and in office for nearly 24 years, mounted a write-in campaign. His 2004 DUI conviction was too much for him to overcome.
Then came the allegations of improper use of campaign funds. That has prompted an investigation by the State Board of Elections via the Portsmouth Commonwealth Attorney’s office. The new sheriff, Bill Watson, has been reviewing records and items are missing, money from vending machines is unaccounted for, records of inmates’ time working on projects are non-existent. The Virginia State Police are looking into these allegations.
Aren’t any of these things subject to any oversight? Are there no independent audits going on? How can something like this go on and no one notice?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I feel it is because of the all the power that an elected official, such as a sheriff wields, and moveover when he’s in office for 24 years. In that amount of time a person becomes comfortable and confident that nothing is going to happen to them and then they get the “god complex”. The truth is that absolute power currupts absolutly. His skeletons are coming out of the closet to haunt him. I agree there should be some oversight the Sheriff regardless should have to answer to someone or institute a policy where the out going sherriffs records are auditted prior to leaving office, secondly there needs to be a term limit on the time a sheriff remains in office. Gary Waters has done alot to bring shame to the office of the sheriff and alot of things he has done to his fellow law enforcement officials will never be known because of the nature of the events. i know for a fact that he has dismissed deputies when they confronted him about his captains making passes at their wives during parties and also having affairs with some. Yep! he’s dirty. It’s because of these things that i want to remain anonumous
well maybe you think hes dirty and his funding was unaccounted for, but the vending funds were used for the office christmas party, which schools use vending for school activities so did the Sheriff. You have a bitter man in office now Watson, he was fired, he was fired from 4 law enforcement agencies he left waters and went to isle of white and was fired again, don’t believe all you hear Sheriff Waters Campaign donations went to a golf fund in general no money was missing one donation of 500.00 was not reported by a secretary— not waters. His gambling book was not ordered by waters but a deputy named kristich, who was also a Lt. for the department, not Gary!!! You see I know alot of the other side of the story that no one knows– only because he doesn’t comment to the media you assume he is guilty, yes he did get a dui, but he did not rape a young black male in virginia beach as sheriff newheart did ches sheriff (who is still in office) and got away with and is still in office, nor did he furnish his whole apartment as the sheriff in norfolk did with his city credit card. As far as deputies being fired they usually did something to get fired. As far as his sexual harrashment case, she is a money hungry single mother who does not deserve a dime, she is just another voulcher, before you start putting articles out, get the facts!!!! Opinions, are just that opinions, Sheriff Waters is stressed everyday over the lies, and as I tell him even Jesus was judged and as long as you know the truth in your heart and if you did wrong accept it to the hire power for he is the only one that really matters, Everyone’s opinions or judgements are un-worthy and if you comment negative look in the mistakes you have made and realize we all make mistakes. God Bless Sheriff Waters For The Things He Did Right and for those who think he was not a good sheriff show me one that is and I can tell you a story of his mistake, but remember I don’t judge, but I can tell you a mistake ….
Huh. I bet it would be interesting to trace the IP of *this* posting . . .
Drink some water, Tacy, and take a few aspirin. That’s gonna be a hell of a hangover, tomorrow.
MB – I did and yes, it is 🙂