LAKE COUNTY — A former sheriff sergeant filed a petition with the Lake County Superior Court May 12 alleging that the Lake County Sheriff”s Office plays favorites in personnel discipline.
James Beland seeks to have the county release personnel records for comparison with his administrative appeal of his separation from employment, damages, costs and attorney fees, according to a petition filed with the court.
Sheriff Rod Mitchell said the department adheres to the law regarding personnel matters.
“Personnel records are still confidential,” Mitchell said. “I”m going to obey the law.” “Mr. Beland”s claims are inaccurate and we look forward to disproving them through proper channels,” Mitchell said. “That will be through court proceedings and not through media releases.”
County counsel Anita Grant said because the case is ongoing, she couldn”t comment on the allegations.
In the petition filed with the court, Beland”s lawyers allege that during the confidential administrative hearing process the county stated other employees were terminated for similar circumstances as Beland but refused to provide circumstances based on the requirement for a court order.
“In addition, (Beland) sought to elicit evidence and testimony regarding the system of discipline administered by the Sheriff”s Department,” the petition read. “Here, (Beland) intends to show that discipline is not administered in good faith but rather a system of patronage where officers are disciplined according to their allegiance to the Sheriff.
“In some disciplinary cases, officers are not disciplined or minimally disciplined if they are perceived as favorite sons to the sheriff. In other cases, discipline is used to quash opposition or silence critics who speak out on issues ranging from abuse to discrimination to violations of law committed by sheriff”s personnel. (Beland) contends that the instant discipline has been used to silence and discredit (Beland) for his testimony in the matter of People v. Bismarck Dinius. Such arbitrary discipline affects the statutory rights to continued employment which also encompasses a fair administration of discipline within the Sheriff”s Department.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
