Despite filing a letter of resignation earlier this month,
former sheriff candidate and Undersheriff Pat Turturici would have
been out of a job at the end of the year regardless
– because he did not have bumping rights within the sheriff’s
office under his contract and his position is being eliminated,
Sheriff Curtis Hill said.
Despite filing a letter of resignation earlier this month, former sheriff candidate and Undersheriff Pat Turturici would have been out of a job at the end of the year regardless – because he did not have bumping rights within the sheriff’s office under his contract and his position is being eliminated, Sheriff Curtis Hill said.
When Hill promoted Turturici to undersheriff in 2004, the agreement did not include the capability to go back to his old position if the sheriff wasn’t reelected or the budget was cut, Hill said. The job is appointed by the sheriff and is not part of the office’s regular promotional ranks.
During the budget hearings earlier this year, the board agreed to cut the position.
“It’s not the type of employment where he could just fall back to a previous rank – it’s strictly appointed by the sheriff,” Hill said. “After losing the election, he had no place to go.”
Hill went on to say Turturici is no longer working in the office and is on some sort of leave until his job status is terminated.
“It’s a sad day for the sheriff’s office,” Hill said. “It’s a sad day to lose him.”
Hill couldn’t comment on the internal investigation of Turturici after accusations he was threatening jobs over the election because of state personnel laws.
For a prior story on the Turturici resignation, go here. For more on this story, see the Free Lance on Tuesday.
