3 words lead to investigation of Stanislaus County sheriff | Crime

MODESTO, CA - Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson admitted using the words limp, lame and lazy to describe workers who were injured or on medical leave.

He even apologized, but that's not enough to prevent a full investigation of how often it was said.

"In California, employers have the legal obligation to take all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination from occurring in the first place," Assistant County Counsel Edward Burroughs said. 

Because Christianson was being sued for alleged discrimination by a former deputy, state law requires a fsull and independent investigation.

"He [Christianson] has said he won't do it again, but we don't know the extent it was used in the department," said Burroughs.

Stanislaus County officials said because the investigator hasn't been selected yet, it's not clear how much that process will cost. Burroughs said it could be in the many thousands of dollars.

That lawsuit against the sheriff ended with a hung jury, but former deputy Dennis Wallace is planning to sue again.

By Tim Daly, tdaly@news10.net