To the editor:
Lincoln County commissioners, legal counsel and human resources have created an issue with the Lincoln County district attorney’s cold case unit, limiting our abilities to investigate and clear cold cases.
In an attack on the district attorney and her staff, the DA’s investigator position has been vacant for several months. The DA investigator supervises the volunteer cold case investigators and our investigations. Without the DA investigator, or the presence of a sworn police officer, we cannot contact and interview suspects.
The DA investigator also assists the deputy district attorneys in preparing for court, serves subpoenas, interviews and provides guidance and transportation to victims and witnesses to and from court proceedings. Already shorthanded, local police agencies are now tasked with those responsibilities.
Due to the vacancy, I was tasked by the district attorney’s office to complete a background check on an investigator applicant. As a former police officer and retired Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy/detective, I have performed background checks and participated in the hiring process for Toledo Police Department. Elected department heads, such as the district attorney and sheriff are allowed to conduct background checks and internal investigations.
Human Resources learned, by way of monitoring internal office emails, that I had done the background, and without explanation, director David Collier advised me by email that I was not authorized to complete a background, then terminated me from the cold case position. Without due process my key card was disabled.
My background was done on Orrin Wallace. Wallace, a former police officer, was hired by former district attorney Lanee Danforth as the DA investigator. His wife, Jenna Wallace came to Lincoln County as a deputy district attorney, later elected by the public as district attorney. To be hired as a county employee, applicants must pass a background check. Mr. Wallace completed the previous background check and was hired. Mr. Wallace never left employment with Lincoln County.
My updated background involved contacting local law enforcement officers, random district attorneys attorneys and office staff. I found no conflicts or complaints regarding the fact that district attorney Wallace was married to investigator Wallace. Many of the officers/detectives that worked with investigator Wallace commented that they felt it was a benefit and that he was one of the best DA investigators they had worked with.
For those who attend or view the bimonthly commissioner meetings, any negative comments or concerns by citizens or employees are responded to by abruptly ending the meeting or commissioners and county counsel walking out. Commissioner Casey Miller has been the exception, treating complaints with fairness, honesty and integrity. He has been punished and reprimanded for standing up.
I encourage the public to attend the county meetings and witness for themselves the conflict and blatant retaliation demonstrated by our county government.
— Trish Miller/South Beach
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