“It’s because we’re the county and we’re the government and this is how we work.”

What arrogance: “It’s because we’re the county and we’re the government and this is how we work.”
From the Las Vegas Sun:
A controversial practice by the District Attorney’s Office that first came to light in 2009 — paying witnesses to attend pretrial meetings with prosecutors — resurfaced last week in Clark County District Court and could have ramifications in future criminal cases.

Defense attorneys first discovered the practice after a witness admitted she’d lied under oath because she wanted her $50 payment.

Where did she go after she met with prosecutors? To buy crack cocaine, according to news accounts....
At issue isn’t the legality of payments, but the District Attorney’s Office’s handwritten records of receipts for the vouchers, which witnesses redeem for cash.
It’s tough to cross-examine witnesses about what they may have received when the District Attorney’s Office burns the receipts, defense attorneys Dayvid Figler and Daniel Bunin argued during a two-week trial that wrapped Monday....
“It’s not digital. It’s not because we are trying to thwart Mr. Figler and his efforts,” argued prosecutor Mary Kay Holthus.  It's because we’re the county and we’re the government and this is how we work.”...
The jury saw the case differently.
On Monday a jury acquitted Gary T. Miller of 24 counts, which included charges of first-degree kidnapping and sex assault with a minor under 14.
The case had issues beyond the payments.
“If I bought the testimony, don’t you think I would have bought better testimony than that?” prosecutor Parker Brooks joked in the courtroom during a break.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/oct/13/defense-attorneys-cry-foul-over-da-paying-witnesse/
I have no problem with the DA or defense paying money to witnesses to pay for their expenses when they have to testify, as long as it is not a bribe.
But there is no reason in today's world why the DA's office cannot keep the records/receipts.  It really looks bad but then again, "It's because we’re the county and we’re the government and this is how we work".