Two men vying to be the next Wayne County sheriff were accused of sexual harassment by female deputies who received an $85,000 settlement from the county.
Robert Dunlap, chief of jails and courts at the Sheriff s Office, and Raphael Washington, deputy chief of jail and courts, are among 14 candidates who applied for the appointment to replace former Sheriff Benny Napoleon, who died last month after battling COVID-19.
A panel of three Wayne County officials Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Clerk Cathy Garrett and Chief Probate Judge Freddie Burton said they would make the appointment Friday.
The panel interviewed nine candidates Thursday afternoon via Zoom. Washington was questioned for 26 minutes but the panel didn t ask him about the lawsuit allegations or the settlement the county paid out. Instead, the panel focused on things like Washington s plans to handle potential unrest, what he hoped to accomplish in his first 100 days and his position on incarcerating nonviolent offen
Misconduct claims against Wayne County Sheriff candidates receive new scrutiny
As a panel prepares to select the next Wayne County Sheriff, past misconduct complaints filed against two leading candidates for the job are receiving new scrutiny. 14 candidates have applied for the post following the death of Sheriff Benny Napoleon in December after a battle with COVID-19. A panel made up of three elected county officials will interview candidates beginning Thursday. A vote is expected the next day.
and last updated 2021-01-14 00:17:31-05
DETROIT (WXYZ) â As a panel prepares to select the next Wayne County Sheriff, past misconduct complaints filed against two leading candidates for the job are receiving new scrutiny.
Applicants for Wayne County sheriff to continue interviews Friday
Detroit Wayne County officials were scheduled Friday to finish interviewing the 14 applicants vying to replace Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon, who died last month following a battle with COVID-19.
According to Michigan election law, if a county sheriff is elected but dies before the new term starts, the vacancy shall be filled within 15 days after the beginning of the term for which he was elected.
State law empowers the county clerk, prosecutor and chief probate judge to appoint people to elected positions if the official vacates the seat before the term is over.
Candidates hoping to replace Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon, who died last month, have until 4:30 p.m. Friday to submit their applications unless a court agrees to grant more time.
The panel of three county officials charged with choosing a replacement voted Wednesday to set the deadline but also to seek an extension. They said a state law that requires them to fill the job within 15 days of the start of the sheriff s term doesn t provide adequate time to evaluate applicants. I just don t see how we can do this within 15 days, said Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who serves on the appointment panel.