State Treasurer Will Not Face Charges

Prosecutor Larry Jegley says that he will not file criminal charges against Arkansas Treasurer Gus Wingfield. A criminal complaint was filed against Wingfield, claiming that he hired and promoted his two daughters in his own office. The two women are employees at the treasurer`s office. Jegley said yesterday that Wingfield`s actions stink, but that state laws were not written tightly enough for him to file anything. He said now the case would only continue on in the state Ethics Commission and with public opinion. The state Ethics Commission fined Wingfield 750 dollars in January. In a settlement with the commission, Wingfield acknowledged he violated an ethics law that prohibits officials from using their positions to secure special privileges for their children. Teresa Prewett of Little Rock said she filed the criminal complaint because she thought the Ethics Commission was too lenient. Wingfield did not comment yesterday. He said he hasn`t decided if he will run for re-election in 2006.