Corruption ON US Highway

Ghana Woman Testifies..
LAWRENCEVILLE - A former lieutenant with the Brunswick County sheriff's department, William A. Scott, was convicted of four counts of accepting bribes and one count of solicitation.

The sheriff's department called in the State Police to investigate this year after several people complained about Scott.

One who came forward was Rebecca Tagoe, who immigrated to America from Ghana five years ago.

On April 21, Tagoe testified, Scott stopped her for speeding as she drove from Raleigh, N.C., to Woodbridge to visit her father. Scott told her she had to pay a fine and asked her how much money she had, Tagoe testified.

Eventually, she said, Scott told her to pay $250. Tagoe said she asked about writing a check but was told to pay cash.

"He said, 'You better pay the fine, and if you don't pay the fine . . . you are going to go to jail.'"

Scott gave her directions to an automatic teller machine and she returned with $240, Tagoe said. Afraid of going to jail or losing her license, Tagoe said she paid him $200 and was allowed to go.

Once she got to northern Virginia, Tagoe spoke to her niece, who prompted her to complain.

William A. Scott, who no longer works for the department, was allowed to remain free on bond until his sentencing scheduled for late January. A pre-sentencing report on Scott will also be prepared.

Scott, a 10-year veteran with the department and its fourth highest-ranking officer, now faces one to 10 years on each of the four bribery counts and one to five years for the solicitation conviction.