Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Executive Staff

The County of Riverside has an Annual Leave redemption policy, referred to as “buy down,” for employees who are entitled to this benefit. Each calendar year they are permitted to submit two requests for payment, not to exceed a combined total of 160 hours. The first 80 hours may be redeemed on an employee’s signature. Due to budgetary limitations, any additional hours up to a maximum of 80 must have agency/department head approval.

The Grand Jury subpoenaed and received payroll and annual leave records of the sworn Executive Staff for the years 2000 through 2005, with the exception of some records. The Sheriff’s Department custodian of records was unable to locate the year 2000 records for employees with the last name beginning with the letter “L”. 1

Payroll Activity Reports (RSD Form 344) provided by the Sheriff’s Department revealed that until the start of this Grand Jury investigation, only a limited number of Executive Staff reported annual leave usage.

Payroll records for 2003 and 2004 revealed that two sworn Executive Staff members did not utilize any annual leave, and “bought down” the maximum 160 hours allowed in both years for a total payout of $43,416.72.

The lack of proper documentation creates the appearance of impropriety with respect to the use of public monies. Payroll Activity Reports revealed: • Unsigned payroll sheets • Multiple predated payroll sheets, some of which were submitted months later • No supervisor signature and/or signature date • Approval of own Payroll Activity Reports, and no leave time annotated, except for approved holidays.

A January 2006 scheduled countywide internal audit on Management Leave Analysis (annual leave) for internal controls was canceled.