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Harney County sheriff publicly discloses hiring conflict, recuses from ministerial duties
Summary
The Harney County sheriff informed the court that his fiancée applied for a probation officer job and said he will step back from ministerial duties related to hiring; the sheriff said Director Lottie Presley conducted the oral board and he will request the judge oversee remaining steps if the candidate advances.
Sheriff (speaker 9) used the May 6 Harney County Court session to make a public conflict‑of‑interest disclosure regarding a recent hiring process in Community Corrections. He said he had followed Oregon ethics procedures, completed the required disclosure form and provided a written statement to the county human resources department.
In the statement, the sheriff explained that his fiancée, Audrey Miller, applied for the vacant adult parole and probation officer position and that Director Lottie Presley administered the oral board. "Director Presley chose an oral board of persons who were not aware of the connection between the applicant and myself," he said, adding that she observed but did not score the interviews. He said he will "refuse myself from the normal ministerial duties of my position and request that Harney County Judge Bill Hart review the background information and pre‑employment psychological screening and conduct the rest of the hiring process for Miss Miller should she continue to be successful in the process."
Court reaction and safeguards: Judge Bill Hart and commissioners praised the public disclosure as transparent. Director Presley summarized the selection process to reassure the court that panelists were unaware of the relationship, that HR and outside directors were included on the oral board, and that the selection was based on panel scoring. The court confirmed the position is in a bargaining unit and noted collective‑bargaining safeguards and required background and psychological screening steps remain in place.
Why it matters: Elected officials are required to disclose familial relationships or personal connections that could affect hiring decisions. The sheriff’s public pledge to recuse and the court’s recording of the disclosure preserves procedural transparency and reduces the risk of administrative challenge.
Next steps: HR and the sheriff will coordinate to ensure required forms are filed with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and that the judge and Community Corrections director handle remaining administrative steps should the finalist pass background checks.
