Posted: | March 6, 2017 02:32 PM |
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From: | Representative Bryan Cutler |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Impeachment of Lancaster County Sheriff Mark Reese |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a Resolution to impeach Lancaster County Sheriff Mark Reese, for misbehavior in office and violation of the public trust. In July of 2016, a complaint was filed by a deputy sheriff against Sheriff Reese alleging sexual harassment. The Lancaster County Commissioners office officially began an investigation into Sheriff Reese at that time. Through that investigation multiple emails were uncovered that had been sent from the sheriff’s personal email account detailing explicit behavior and thoughts that the sheriff had about the deputy. Recently the sheriff admitted to the alleged conduct. Unfortunately, the Lancaster County Commissioners are unable to remove the Sheriff from office even after investigation’s findings. They have however called for his resignation, to which he has not obliged. During this investigation Reese went on paid leave, beginning July 26, which continues to this day. In total, the county has paid over $50,000 of his $85,000 salary while he has been on leave, and in 2018 he currently stands eligible for approximately a $20,000 pension. The House of Representatives is charged with the constitutional duty to investigate whether inappropriate conduct by public officials merits impeachment. I believe it is imperative that we fulfill our constitutional oversight responsibility for elected officials in this case. As a historical reference, this is the same process which was utilized to investigate Supreme Court Justice Larsen in 1993. Therefore, I ask you to join with me to cosponsor a resolution to authorize the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the conduct of Lancaster County Sheriff Mark Reese and determine whether he is liable to impeachment. |
Introduced as HR131