Former Sheriff Gets House Arrest

PONTOTOC (WCBI) – The former Alcorn County sheriff and the owners of a Corinth car lot all pleaded guilty today to fraud charges.

Former Sheriff Charles Rhinehart along with car dealers Teddy and Denise Null all admitted guilt to conspiracy to defraud and fraud against Alcorn County.  The case stems from Rhinehart purchasing numerous cars for the county from Null.  The state says Teddy Null would submit a bid to sell the cars and Denise Null would submit bogus competitive bids.  Prosecutors believed Rhinehart was getting kickbacks in the scheme but the investigation did not prove the former sheriff got money as part of the scheme.   Rhinehart was sentenced to 20 years in prison but that was reduced to 2 years house arrest. I Rinehart’s attorney Tony Farese says his client actually, entered a “best interest plea”in which the defendant pleads guilty but does not admit to the criminal act. The former sheriff always maintained his innocence in this matter.   He decided to purchase wrecked or salvage vehicles that were rebuilt through Teddy and Denise Null because they provided the lowest bid These vehicles were inspected by the Ms. Highway Patrol and passed inspection.  Unfortunately, Mr. Rinehart did err in relying on the Nulls to obtain legitimate second bids as is required by law.  Mrs. Denise Null obtained the second required bids through Copart, an online service.  All of the cars involved are still in service today with the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department except for a 2010 Crown Victoria that was wrecked while in service.  Mr. Rinehart, at 75 years of age, felt this plea deal was in the best interest of his family.  This case is a result of not following the correct letter of the law in the bid process and for that error, Mr. Rinehart is certainly sorry and accepted responsibility for his actions as Sheriff.

Both Nulls received twenty year terms but Denise Null will serve two years house arrest while Teddy Nulls term was cut to one year house arrest.