Sheriff Dan Staton Claims He Didn't Know the Sticker Price of His Taxpayer-Funded Dodge Charger

As you may recall, it was $33,623.

By Nigel Jaquiss

Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton is claiming he did not know the $33,623 cost of the fully-equipped Dodge Charger he bought with taxpayer money last year.

"I'm taking full responsibility for this," Staton told WW's news partner KATU-TV. "I should have known a little bit more about what was going on."

Staton's explanation came a day after WW revealed emails showing he instructed a subordinate to proceed with the purchase even after the county's vehicle fleet manager refused to buy the car Staton wanted—both because it was too expensive and because Staton did not have his old car long enough to qualify for a new one.

Staton's interview does not explain how he could have spent an hour on the Gresham Dodge car lot and not known the price tag of a vehicle equipped with electric sunroof, shiny oversized wheels and satellite radio.

Staton told KATU's Hillary Lake he will no longer drive the Charger, and will place it back in the department fleet. The full video is here.

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.