A former sheriff’s department official criticized Sheriff Chris Nanos on Thursday, citing what he called “reprehensible behavior.”
Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General and a 30-year veteran of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, spoke to a crowd of roughly 70 people at a news conference, addressing issues he said have been brought to his attention by department employees.
“This isn’t political,” he said. “Every citizen should know what’s going on in the department when they vote.”
Standing behind Carmona at the podium were 15 members of the Pima County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, who he said were there to take a stand against Nanos’ leadership.
Carmona noted that several of the employees had been demoted as a result of their standing up to Nanos.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry denied that claim Thursday, saying that no deputies, sergeants or detectives had been demoted since Nanos was appointed Sheriff.
“All of these employees have followed department policy regarding complaints, but they didn’t realize that the change in command (when Nanos took over) changed the complaint process” Carmona said.
The grievance system allows the agency's "appointing authority", in this case the Sheriff, to uphold or deny grievances filed against any employee — including himself. The employee then has the option to forward the grievance to the County Administrator for review.
Carmona said the retaliatory actions being taken by Nanos and his allies in the department have made many employees afraid to come forward with complaints, and instead they’ve called him to express their displeasure.
During the hour-long news conference, Carmona discussed several previously reported issues in the department, including the use of RICO funds — which come from drug seizures and are supposed to be used for crime fighting — to open a cafe in the sheriff’s headquarters.
The Star previously reported the FBI began an investigation in response to a 2015 newspaper article about the cafe, which was operated by the niece of Chief Deputy Christopher Radtke. “We’re grateful that the FBI stepped in and saw enough probable cause to start an investigation,” Carmona said.
The Pima County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Pima County Corrections Officers Association voted last week to endorse Nanos’ Republican opponent, Mark Napier, in what Carmona called an unprecedented move. The Tucson Police Officer’s Association previously voted to endorse Napier.
Carmona was listed on the department’s organizational chart as “sheriff’s surgeon” until recently, when his name was removed from the website. He’s still under contract with the department, but hasn’t been to headquarters since January, and has said he doesn’t intend to return if Nanos is elected. In late September, Nanos told the Star he eliminated the position because he didn’t need one and informed Carmona that he won’t be renewing his contract, which ends Nov. 19.
In response to Carmona’s claims, he asked what factual basis there was. “This is all rumor and innuendo,” Nanos said.
A letter written by former Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, whose retirement opened the way for Nanos to be appointed sheriff, was distributed to reporters before the news conference. Dupnik criticized Carmona for his “tireless campaign” of “unfounded and inaccurate claims of cronyism and fraud.”
Carmona previously told the Star that while he intends to vote for Napier, he hasn’t decided whether he’ll formally endorse his candidacy before the Nov. 8 election.
