PORT ANGELES — A Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy who recently served a one-month suspension for misconduct concerning inappropriate text messages, has been placed on paid administrative leave while a department investigation proceeds on a second, separate misconduct complaint by an adult female.
Michael Leiter was placed on leave March 14, Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said last week, adding he could not discuss specifics of the new case until the investigation is completed.
Ongoing case
Sheriff Bill Benedict said he expects to receive his detective’s investigative report on the newest complaint this week, then will made a decision on whether further action is warranted against Leiter.
“We’re awaiting witnesses that were out of the county,” Benedict said.
Benedict said the new allegations are different than those that resulted in Leiter’s previous suspension.
“I can assure you the allegations are not the same,” he said.
“There are no criminal statutes that cover this.
“The allegations are strictly policy violations.”
Leiter was suspended Jan. 9 for one month without pay for violating department policies, including soliciting a sexual relationship while on-duty and off-duty and through his work cellphone.
It involved an alleged domestic violence victim whose case Leiter handled Dec. 30 at 7 Cedars Casino.
Leiter returned to work Feb. 6.
Second question
“New allegations surfaced after he completed his 30-day suspension,” King said, declining to comment until the investigation is completed.
“All I can say is, there’s been another allegation of misconduct.”
The 45 text-message exchanges between Leiter and the woman involved in the 7 Cedars Casino incident occurred Jan. 1 to Jan. 4.
The case against the man at 7 Cedars, whose girlfriend Leiter inappropriately texted, was dismissed Jan. 8.
He had been arrested for investigation of gross misdemeanor fourth- degree assault and resisting arrest.
Leiter later apologized for communicating with the woman.
Leiter was a Mason County Sheriff’s deputy when was hired in February 2015 as a Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy.
“There is no record in his personnel file in Mason County of anything like allegations of misconduct,” King said.
“There was nothing in the past that was uncovered in his background investigation prior to his employment” in Clallam County, he added.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
