A Miner Detail has filed an ethics complaint against two Washington County officials

This morning, A Miner Detail’s Ryan Miner filed an ethics complaint against two Washington County officials – County Administrator Rob Slocum and Washington County Commissioners President Terry Baker.

Below is a copy of the email sent to Washington County’s attorneys.

Good Morning, Washington County attorneys,

While there is no official form available on Washington County’s website to file an official ethics complaint, please allow this email to serve as my complaint.

Complaint 1: County Administrator Rob Slocum

I respectfully request the Washington County Ethics Commission to investigate County Administrator Rob Slocum based on the following facts:

Washington County government announced on September 19 in a news release that no evidence of “unlawful conduct” was found against Commissioner LeRoy Myers.

Washington County Commissioner Jeffrey A. Cline shared with Herald-Mail Media an email exchange he had with County Administrator Rob Slocum from September 19, before the county issued its public statement to announce the findings of the independent investigation into former Washington County Administrator Sarah Lankford Sprecher’s allegations that Commissioner LeRoy Myers sexually harassed her during an October 2016 business trip to South Korea.

Cline, via email, brought to Slocum’s attention that the attorney stated that “County Policy was violated with an inappropriate action of kissing.”

Two Washington County commissioners later admitted that Commissioner Myers kissed Ms. Sprecher during the County’s South Korea trip.

Cline suggested to Slocum via email that the violation of County policy should be listed in the County’s press release.

After receiving Commissioner Cline’s recommendation, Mr. Slocum included only the following points within the press release:

1) No evidence of harassment

2) No evidence of retaliation

3) No evidence of any unlawful conduct whatsoever

County Administrator Slocum failed to include within the press release that a violation of County policy had occurred.

My request is for Washington County’s Ethics Commission to investigate County Administrator Rob Slocum for intentionally using his public office to mislead the public for the benefit of others.

The violation may fall under section 4.g.1. of the County’s ethics ordinance.

Complaint 2:

I respectfully request the Washington County Ethics Commission investigate Washington County Commissioners President Terry Baker based on the following facts:

Commissioner Baker released personal and confidential information to the public regarding a sexual harassment investigation through statements to the press (Herald-Mail Media) and further commented and mislead the public by endorsing an incomplete and misleading public statement regarding the findings of the aforementioned sexual harassment report.

Commissioner Baker’s behavior in releasing what is apparently closed-session information is inappropriate and detrimental to the public trust.

Commissioner Baker’s violation may fall under section 4.1 of the County’s ethics ordinance.

Should Washington County require an alternative format to submit an ethics complaint against County officials, please notify me via email or contact me at (301) 991-4220, and I would be happy to revisit the format of my complaint.

I appreciate your combined attention to this important matter.

Best regards,

Ryan Miner