An internal investigation into policy violations and sexual misconduct among Hall County jail employees has led to six resignations and two suspensions, authorities said.
In mid-November, an investigation was launched into a group of employees who worked the same night shift at the jail, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Investigators found “several violations of policy and procedure related to unbecoming conduct, unsatisfactory performance of duty, sexual misconduct between the employees and a failure to supervise,” the release said.
Sheriff Gerald Couch said the employees’ conduct did not warrant criminal charges and did not involve inmates, but the activity “did compromise the professionalism and operational effectiveness of the shift.”
Jailer Dani Colella, jailer Christopher Smith and Deputy Randall Norton resigned during a pre-termination hearing, the release said. Jailer Alexis Mitchell and employee Andrew Ondo resigned while the investigation was ongoing. Ken Nix retired in lieu of resigning.
Deputy Daniel Harris was suspended for five days, while jailer Kingston Morris was suspended for two days, the release said.
No other information on the activity that led to the disciplinary action was released.
“The vast majority of the deputies, jailers and civilian professionals who serve in our jail work extremely hard to maintain a safe and professional environment,” Couch said in the release. “While those employees are clearly devoted to professionalism and duty, unfortunately this small group of employees was not ... I cannot and will not tolerate this type of behavior by our personnel. Poor choices have consequences.”
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