(AP) -- A South Carolina sheriff is sending his deputies' cruisers back to the county motor pool for repairs.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright made the change after a newspaper investigation found his department spent more than $1 million on repairs at a private shop over the past five years.
The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reported Friday that Wright decided to start using the county's mechanics the day after the newspaper found he paid Vic Bailey Service Center $1.3 million for vehicle service since 2005.
Wright had said the county shop couldn't keep up with the number of cruisers that needed work.
The newspaper also found Wright didn't seek bids for the work.
The sheriff says he made the change after the state sheriff's association recommended he follow the county code and take bids for the service.
Information from: Herald-Journal, http://www.goupstate.com/
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