LAKE COUNTY — An attorney sent a letter Monday to the Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS) requesting assistance in restoring the job of a terminated Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) correctional officer.
Sean Howell, a labor and employment attorney at Sacramento law firm Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen, represents Melissa Wallahan. She was terminated from her correctional officer position in 2011.
Howell first addressed the matter at the March 6 BOS meeting. During open session, he said Wallahan”s termination appeal was upheld by a hearing officer after finding scant evidence. He asked the supervisors to uphold the appeal and reinstate Wallahan with full back pay.
The BOS moved into closed session to hear the details of Wallahan”s case. Returning into open session, the supervisors unanimously made an intended decision to affirm the appeal and directed county counsel to prepare findings of fact in the matter.
The matter was on Tuesday”s agenda for formal action for the findings of fact.
In the letter, Howell said he made several attempts to contact Sheriff Frank Rivero to figure out a start date for Wallahan so she could provide her current employer adequate notice of her resignation.
“All attempts to contact him (Rivero) were unsuccessful,” Howell stated in the letter.
Howell asked the supervisors for help if Rivero did not comply with the decision.
“My client (Wallahan) would appreciate this board exhausting all remedies available to ensure its decision and order is followed,” Howell stated in the letter.
The BOS adopted the findings of fact for Wallahan”s employee disciplinary appeal in closed session Tuesday. Coming back into open session, the supervisors issued a decision to uphold the appeal.
Repeated attempts for comment from Rivero have not been returned.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
