Sheriff Resigns Due To Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Danny Morton, the Sheriff of Blount County, Alabama, has agreed to resign effective January 15, 2009 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. According to the Birmingham News, a female deputy sheriff, assigned to the drug task force, filed an EEOC charge on April 11, 2008 alleging that she was forced to drink alcohol while on duty, was fondled, kissed and sexually assualted. At the time, Sheriff Morton denied the allegations of the complaint.
A criminal investigation began, and a special proscecutor was appointed by the Attorney General's office. An agreement was reached allowing Sheriff Morton to resign on January 15, 2009, and no criminal charges will be filed against him. The article from the Birmingham News, dated December 16, 2008, is availble to read here. There is no indication on how the EEOC charge is being handled at this time.
Practice Pointers.
1. All employers must recognize that sexual harassment and other prohibited conduct can be engaged in at all levels: from the top, like a sheriff, to the bottom, of each organization.
2. Employers should have a mechanism to report harassment, sexual or otherwise, to at least 2 people, in case their supervisor or CEO is the one accused of the wrongful conduct.
3. Allegations of sexual harassment may give rise to a criminal investigaion and possibly charges for assault, rape, kidnapping or other crimes.
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