Chisago Co. Sheriff Responds After Allegations Of Nepotism
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Chisago County Sheriff Rick Duncan issued a statement Friday after being accused of nepotism for wanting to hire his son as a deputy.
The accusation came earlier this month from the department's former second-in-command, who told WCCO-TV that he was forced to resign after he questioned Duncan about his wanting to hire a relative in the position of deputy sheriff.
"The county policy that was violated, in this case, states that relatives — as defined in the front portion of the policy — are not to be hired into the agency where they are in the line of supervision," said former chief deputy Chad Worden.
In a statement, the sheriff responded to the allegations, saying he didn't have any involvement with the testing, interview or background process when it came to the possible hiring of his son.
"My only involvement..was to recommend the county hiring of qualified candidates who passed all aspects of the testing process to fill the current openings," Duncan said. "This is in accordance to Chisago County hiring policy."
The sheriff added that he wouldn't comment on Worden's resignation out of respect for him and because of the mention of a possible lawsuit.