[Stuff] hitting the fan at Sheriff's Office

The "stuff" is hitting the fan at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department, where about 30 deputies and corrections officers are being directed to meet with the Sheriff's guy, Don Leist, whose official title is Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and Legal Affairs Officer.

Leist holds what was a clerical position at the Sheriff's Department and one that actually is no longer needed. However, Nygren decided he wanted an in-house attorney and, when Kathy Seith left, the job qualifications were broadened to something like J.D. degree preferred. With that, the well of applicants shrank and, Eureka!, we have a qualified applicant. Surprise...  Yeah, sure...

On Wednesday a Federal judge announced that the games would continue. Cal Skinner was there, and you can read his story here. Cal wrote, "Milliman was fired for not telling the truth in a deposition for former Deputy Sheriff Zane Seipler’s case of wrongful termination."

I added my 2¢ worth in a comment to Cal's article that the sentence should have read, "Milliman was fired for telling the truth in a deposition for former Deputy Sheriff Zane Seipler’s case of wrongful termination."

What did Scott Milliman tell the truth about on November 23, 2010, as described on McHenry County Blog?

• Excessive force used by McHenry County Deputy Sheriffs
• Retaliation suffered by Milliman and other deputy sheriffs for reporting unlawful conduct of other deputy sheriffs
• Allegations that Nygren was directly involved in ticket fixing in McHenry County
• Nygren’s acceptance of bribes intended to influence his actions as Sheriff
• Nygren’s involvement in a scheme to fraudulently procure SBA loans for individuals and share in the proceeds of the loans knowing that the loans were going to default
• Milliman’s cooperation with the FBI investigation into corruption in McHenry County
• Evidence of racial profiling by McHenry County Deputy Sheriffs
• General corruption within the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office

Now the Sheriff's Department (that would be Nygren) wants Don Leist to grill about 30 deputies and corrections officers who have been subpoenaed for depositions.

I'll bet that a goodly number of them are seriously worried about their jobs. If they go in and tell Leist the truth, they might as well have their bags packed. They all know that Milliman got fired to telling the truth in his deposition. When they are deposed, will they too tell the truth?

What's worst? Facing Leist or facing a perjury charge?

If I were a deputy or corrections officer and if Leist invited me in "for coffee and a little fireside chat," this would be my answer - ""I'll be very happy to cooperate and will do so upon the advice of my independent attorney, and I'll be happy to consider speaking with you (Leist or Sotos) after I have given truthful testimony at the deposition. I'm sure you do not wish to jeopardize your defense by insisting that I speak with you now."

What will happen if they say that? Leist will insist that they speak right then and there, under penalty of suspension or termination. Then they'll be persona non grata. Can McHenry County afford to do without 30 honest deputies and corrections officers?