Sutter County District Attorney's Office Under Investigation By Grand Jury Over Management

SUTTER COUNTY (CBS13) — It's the office in charge of prosecuting criminals, but the Sutter County District Attorney's Office is once again under fire, accused of possible mismanagement.

A grand jury investigation has started less than a year after the county's former district attorney stepped down amid a sex scandal.

In the time since then, Sutter County Supervisors say they are so concerned with what is going on in the district attorney's office that they are asking the grand jury to take a look at the department's practices.

"Making sure that some of the perceptions and even some realities of the past are cleaned up and taken care of," said supervisor Ron Sullinger.

The office has been plagued by controversy over the last year. In November, Carl Adams stepped down as district attorney amid a sex scandal where he was identified as a suspect in the arson of his mistress' home.

Adams has not been charged with any crime.

Since then, Assistant District Attorney Jana McClung has taken over the office, but recently an audit revealed grant money had been used for personnel not covered by the grant. According to Sullinger, the money from that grant has been paid back.

There are also allegations from members of the public that McClung's office has mishandled the case of a Sutter County Sheriff's deputy accused of domestic violence.

McClung did not return CBS13's requests for comment.

Sullinger says it's important that everyone have confidence in his county's prosecutors.

"To have a disinterested third party, or perhaps an interested third party take a look at things and make sure the community has an opportunity to review and inspect what we're doing," he said.

A new district attorney will be elected in a month, and Sullinger hopes that person will help move the office in the right direction.