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Editorial: Wheels of justice continue to spin in Wokasch case


7/24/2012 1:07:00 PM

 The nagging concern throughout the Tom Wokasch case was whether law enforcement would ever weigh in on the matter.

The periodic updates from Police Chief Jody Fanning that the matter was “still under investigation” played like a broken record.

And from the very beginning, it seemed that while Mingus wanted Wokasch out as a teacher and coach at the high school, they certainly did not want him branded as a criminal. When the issue first surfaced in March 2010, Superintendent Tim Foist said Wokasch would be terminated from his teaching position because of mismanagement of wrestling tournament proceeds. He justified his decision by claiming Wokash’s actions were a “violation of state law.”

But it would be five months later before school officials would finally turn this “violation of state law” over to Cottonwood police.

Now, nearly two years later, it’s announced that police and prosecutors allege that this case of money mismanagement was instead a white-collar crime in which investigators had to sift through seven different personal bank accounts before deciding on criminal charges.

It now seems that what appeared to be foot-dragging to save face for a Cottonwood coaching legend was instead a classic example of just how slowly the wheels of justice turn.

Hats off to Cottonwood police and their investigators and the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office for their due diligence in this case.

The wheels of justice continue to spin … at their own pace.


 

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