Redmond city councilor alleges ‘systemic culture of corruption’ at Deschutes Sheriff’s Office

Former sheriff’s officer Clifford Evelyn has spent his recent retirement years serving on the Redmond City Council, shaping policies and weathering conflicts in the fast-growing Central Oregon city. All the while, he said, his trust in the region’s largest local law enforcement agency withered away. This month Evelyn escalated his concerns about the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to state police watchdogs, filing a complaint with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training that calls for an investigation into “an unchecked, systemic culture of corruption.” His complaint calls into question the involvement of both Deschutes County Sheriff candidates appearing on the November ballot — Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert and Lt. James “Mac” McLaughlin — may have had in leaking confidential information about employees in order to shape public opinion during the last race for sheriff. McLaughlin did not respond to requests for comment.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB ↗