The McDonough County Coroner published a statement alleging that the McDonough County Sheriff “forced” a deputy to resign from his position as deputy coroner. Deputy David Burnham currently serves as the School Resource Officer and Evidence Custodian at the McDonough County Sheriff's Office.
“This is a matter of potential Department of Labor law violations” stated Sheriff Nicholas M. Petitgout The McDonough County Coroner was correct regarding how off-duty employment is handled per Union Contracts. Off-duty employment is at my discretion. The McDonough County Coroner does have other Deputy Coroners, and he should utilize them.
The Coroner’s Office and the McDonough County Sheriff's Office are both under the employment umbrella of the County of McDonough. When Deputy Dave Burnham was working in a part-time capacity of the Coroner’s Office, he was entitled to 1.5 times his rate of pay as a deputy. Deputy Burnham works 40 hours a week at the Sheriff’s Office and any additional hours under the umbrella of the county would entitle him to overtime. This is all very clear in current labor law, both at the state and federal levels.
“I do not believe having a Deputy Sheriff acting in the capacity of a Deputy Coroner is a cost savings to the County of McDonough,” said Petitgout. I believe if an audit was conducted on this issue that the deputy would be owed more money. This would not benefit McDonough County. I would like to end this practice and look out for the taxpayers of the County.
Furthermore, I would like to apologize to Deputy David Burnham for being brought into these election shenanigans. Deputy Burnham is a man of great integrity and loved by all. The staff of the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office should not be subjected to unnecessary scrutiny or used for political leverage.
Nicholas Petitgout McDonough County Sheriff
