El Dorado County Grand Jury • 2002-2003

Sheriff's Non-Follow-Up Regarding Sick Leave Abuse

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Findings 10 findings

F1
It appears the former Sheriff promoted a Captain to Undersheriff for personal reasons, rather than for the benefit of the County.
F2
The Sheriff authorized the Undersheriff to use accumulated leave from January 31, 2000 through April 28, 2000.
F3
The Undersheriff contacted the Payroll clerks with instructions to change his vacation leave to sick leave.
F4
The 2000/2001Grand Jury reported this Undersheriff was paid 200 hours for sick leave when he was not sick and resulted in the use of accumulated sick leave for which he would not have been entitled to be paid for upon retirement.
F5
The Sheriff, responding to the 2000/2001 Grand Jury Report, said he would investigate the Grand Jury’s finding. If the Sheriff determined that the Undersheriff was not entitled to receive sick leave payment, he would demand repayment of funds.
F6
The Sheriff alleges he sent a letter to the Undersheriff on August 29, 2001, requesting doctor’s documentation. However he failed to follow up on said letter for a period of fourteen months until contacted by this Grand Jury.
F7
The Undersheriff responded in a letter on October 9, 2002 that he was sick during the time in question.
F8
The Undersheriff’s medical records reviewed by this Grand Jury do not appear to substantiate his claim.
F9
A review by this Grand Jury of Sheriff’s Department sick leave records, between January 1999 and November 2002, revealed this apparent abuse of sick leave to be an isolated case.
F10
In January 2003, the County Counsel filed suit against the Undersheriff in small claims court to recover monies owed pursuant to the limitations of said court.

Recommendations 4