Can Multnomah Countys Sheriff Keep His Career from Dying?
Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto got slammed by both a County Auditor’s report in March and a grand jury report in December for his spending on personnel. The grand jury found that the expense of $1.7 million in comp time (1.5 hours off for every daily overtime hour) was more expensive than paying deputies for overtime, since the deputies’ time off causes those who fill their shifts to work overtime (Tribune, December 23). Both reports noted that the 400 deputies and sergeants took about five times more comp time last year than four years ago, up from about 5,000 hours in 2001 to 24,000 hours in 2005. The Auditor, though, stated they couldn’t conduct a full review because “a staffing study that helps determine proper staffing levels has not been conducted for over nine years” (Tribune, March 10). We know you’re dying to hear the latest about Jim Jeddeloh, the Citizens Crime Commission chair whose alleged assault against his wife was pending as of our last issue (PPR #37). Jeddelo
