sheriffIn May, Mono Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Madrid filed a claim against Mono County and the Sheriff’s Department.  He alleged that officers in the Sheriff’s Department engaged in “illegal and otherwise wrongful conduct.” One of Madrid’s lawyers says his client was forced to sit in a hall 8 hours a day.  The deputy went to an appeal hearing over the past weekend.

Madrid had appealed disciplinary action against him and continued to work at the Mono Sheriff’s Office. The hearing took place last Saturday, Sunday and Monday. County Counsel Marshall Rudolph said no decision had been made. Attorney Solomon Gresen, who represents Madrid, said, “We believe that Deputy Madrid has not been treated appropriately by his supervisors in the Department. I hope the process bears this out.”

Deputy Madrid’s claim alleges that the Sheriff’s Department violated his civil rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act including discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful demotion.  Madrid also alleges that the Sheriff’s Office failed to provide documents. The claim says the Sheriff and other personnel caused Madrid damage.  When earlier asked for his comment on this case, Sheriff Rick Scholl said he could not comment.   He cited government code that “protects the rights of police officers and prohibits comment.”  Sheriff Scholl added, “I wish I could tell people the truth.”

Attorney Gresen said that officers “assigned Deputy Madrid to a hallway, made him sit there for 8 hours a day with no breaks and no duties. It was draconian,” he said.

Contacted for comment from the other side, Deputy County Counsel John Vallejo said that Madrid’s hearing was “closed and confidential and that he would not be able to comment on anything of substance regarding the hearing.”

Attorney Gresen added, “We believe the conduct Deputy Madrid suffered is outrageous.”

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