(Published July 22‚ 2003)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - The South Carolina Victim Assistance Network wants Spartanburg to repay a crime victim fund that was used to pay for municipal court office renovations.

"I hope to meet with (Mayor) Bill Barnet and (City Attorney) Spencer King to see what can be done," said Laura Hudson, public policy coordinator with the Victim Assistance Network.

The city spent more than $58,000 collected by law to help crime victims on municipal court offices and computer equipment, The (Spartanburg) Herald reported Tuesday.

The money should be spent on direct services for crime victims and not for improving offices for court staff that serve defendants and victims, Hudson said.

Barnet said he is waiting for a report from King, who is reviewing whether the money was spent appropriately.

"Council will try to react based on the information and do the right thing," Barnet said.

The city already has moved $30,000 this year from the general fund to continue the victim advocate program with the city's Public Safety Department, the mayor said.

Information from: Herald-Journal