It’s never good when the head of a law enforcement agency gets indicted by the feds. Certainly not good p.r. for the department.
By ERICA BLAKE
Toledo Blade Staff Writer
TOLEDO,Ohio — Lucas County Sheriff James Telb and three members of his staff – including two former employees – were indicted in U.S. District Court in Toledo yesterday on criminal charges related to the 2004 death of an inmate at the jail and allegations of a subsequent cover-up.
Sheriff Telb, 70, who recently began his seventh term in office, was indicted by a grand jury on one count each of making false statements and misprision of a felony, or the cover-up of a crime. He faces three years in prison if convicted.
The sheriff denied any wrongdoing, saying he is “expecting to be vindicated on this.”
He also said he would not step down from office.
“This is serious stuff, but I’m not backing away from it; I’m not running from it,” he said during a press conference at the sheriff’s office.
“At no time was there any attempt, or any effort, to cover up anything,” he said, adding that he didn’t “think anybody did anything wrong.”
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- Outgoing Texas U.S. Atty. Johnny Sutton Wants to Be Conservative Voice of Reason (Main Justice)
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