One of the candidates for Chelan County sheriff is facing a third round of an investigation into how his salary is paid, and how that might affect his ability to run in the election.
Earlier this week, we reported that Brian Burnett had won an appeal of a decision issued by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, following allegations that he violated the federal Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from campaigning for office or supporting a political candidate while on duty as a federal employee.
It also prohibits a federal employee from using his federal employment status and official authority to endorse a political candidate.
Burnett said Jerry Moore, Sheriff Mike Harum’s chief of administration, informed the OSC that part of his salary was federally funded, and that he worked on a SWAT drug eradication project that was federally funded.
Over the past year, Burnett also performed 72 hours of overtime in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DUI enforcement program, which was federally funded.
After appealing the decision, Burnett was notified that his candidacy was validated, and a determination was made that his position is funded solely through state and local funding.
Burnett told our sister station KOHO that he submitted a request through the Freedom of Information Act to find out who made the allegations against him.
He said he received a phone call Tuesday afternoon from Leslie Gogan with OSC, identifying Harum as the person who notified the federal agency.
Burnett said the OSC told him this issue isn’t over yet…
Burnett said he’s prepared to resign as Deputy Sheriff if the OSC finds that he’s in violation of the Hatch Act.
Ballots will be mailed out today for the Aug. 17 primary election.
Harum is also being challenged by former deputy Mike Hartnett.
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