Update (May 15):
LONOKE, AR – The former Lonoke County Assessor has appeared in court to face several felony charges related to alleged illegal activities during his time in office.
Bond was set at $5,000 for Jack McNally, who was arrested on Thursday. His next court date is July 6.
McNally’s list of charges includes theft of property and fraudulent use of a credit card.
A 2011 audit reportedly revealed that McNally had used the county’s name to get a credit card, then allegedly charged $20,000 on that card.
According to the court affidavit, McNally had pleaded guilty to a federal theft of government property charge in 1986. He claims to have thought his record was expunged and that’s why he didn’t put it on his application to run for office.
According to the court affidavit, McNally had pleaded guilty to a federal theft of government property charge in 1986. He claims to have thought his record was expunged and that’s why he didn’t put it on his application to run for office.
Original story (May 14):
LONOKE COUNTY, AR — The former Lonoke County Assessor is behind bars tonight after being arrested by Arkansas State Police this afternoon.
Jack McNally faces a long list of felony charges dealing with illegal activities during his time in office. He will spend the night in the Lonoke County Jail — without bond — and people we talked to say he should stay there.
Lonoke County resident Lashay Scott said, “It’s just really a shame.”
She says it’s inexcusable for a once-elected official to be facing felony charges.
Scott said, “Just shock, just in shock that something like this would happen. But, allot has been going down in here, with stuff like this, so you just never know.”
McNally served two terms at the Lonoke County Assessor’s Office and now, if convicted of these crimes, he could be serving time in prison too.
Prosecuting Attorney, Chuck Graham, said, “All added up, it’s somewhere around 45 years.”
McNally’s list of charges includes theft of property and fraudulent use of a credit card. A 2011 audit revealed McNally used the county’s name to get a credit card, then it’s alleged he spent $20,000 on that card.
Graham did say some of the charges are in relation to that audit, but he wouldn’t give specifics.
Scott said, “Guess they need to do more audits.”
Another Lonoke County resident, David Gibson, said, “You’ve hurt not only yourself, but the local government and the state government.”
McNally also faces charges for falsifying a political practice pledge. He’s accused of lying on his application — for office — stating he isn’t a felon, but Graham says he is. However, Graham would not elaborate on what his previous felony conviction was.
McNally’s also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Graham says regardless of McNally’s former position, he will not receive special treatment.
He said, “We just do our job, no matter what it is.”
McNally’s expected to be in front of a judge — for his first court appearance — Friday morning.
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