Sturdivant said he requested the grant to be paid in two increments, one for $183,000 in May 2015; the second in December for $385,000. He said the city received the funds within three business days upon each drawing request.

Bob Holsworth, a political analyst and commentator, said the situation raises potentially serious questions.

“Typically, federal grants are very specific about what the money is to be used for, and they have significant auditing components to it,” Holsworth said. “A vendor who is not being paid by the grant, the equipment being repossessed, all the publicity attached to this crisis will raise considerable attention and concern with the federal granting authorities, in particular the agency that provided the dollars.”

Of the $624,800 earmarked for the equipment purchases, the city also purchased protective gear including bunker coats, pants, boots and helmets for a total of $183,000 from Blue Ridge Rescue Suppliers in Bedford County.

In a letter dated Feb. 19, Blue Ridge alerted the city that $160,000 was past due by several months and that the city had not made good on promises to pay that balance.