DUBOIS CO. – Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter will not face charges after a special audit revealed misuse of funds. The decision, made by Special Prosecutor Holly Hudelson of Orange County, follows a thorough review and two investigations by the Indiana State Police.
Last August, a special audit by the State Board of Accounts found that nearly $9,000 in jail commissary funds were used for travel expenses between 2021 and 2023. These expenses covered trips to law enforcement conferences in Arizona, Florida, and Dubai. The audit also noted that Sheriff Kleinhelter spent almost $8,000 on prepaid gift cards and employee gifts, which the audit claimed was not approved by the county council as required by law.
The Dubois County Sheriff’s Office clarified that Sheriff Kleinhelter never actually traveled to Dubai and that all funds used for the trip’s planning were fully reimbursed. They asserted that Sheriff Kleinhelter never intended to defraud Dubois County and maintained that he did not abuse his responsibilities. Investigators reportedly concluded that there was no criminal intent.
