Following an executive session Tuesday, the Lincoln County Commissioners voted to uphold Sheriff Todd Brackett’s decision to discipline an employee.
Lincoln County administrator John O’Connell said the board could not be more specific until an appeal procedure is over. O’Connell also said he could not reveal what discipline the commissioners were upholding.
The final decision will not be announced for several months after all appeals have been completed.
The action to uphold Brackett’s discipline took place in public after the commissioners met behind closed doors. Sheriff Brackett tried to attend the executive session but was rebuffed.
The commissioner’s action upheld a decision involving Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Henry Grenier. Brackett initiated several actions involving Grenier beginning in Aug. 2009.
First, he issued a statement announcing the deputy was placed in administrative leave with pay for a non-work-related incident that was being investigated by the Maine State Police.
The attorney general considered the case, but declined to file charges.
As required by law, Brackett then referred the case to Maine Criminal Justice Academy board, which has the authority to revoke police powers.
At its Jan. 22 meeting the Academy board voted to decertify Grenier. Grenier has 30 days to appeal that decision.
Meanwhile, Brackett said Grenier has served his departmental discipline and is back on the job. He is assigned to the sheriff’s office.
Brackett said he is “doing paperwork.”
Grenier has declined to return calls seeking comment on the situation.
