Category: fox-news/us/us-regions/northeast/vermont

Committee discourages impeachment of Vermont sheriff accused of kicking suspect

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

A special legislative committee recommended against impeachment Tuesday of a Vermont sheriff charged with assault for kicking a shackled prisoner but said the sheriff is doing a disservice by remaining in office.

A resolution to be introduced in the House by committee members on Wednesday urges Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore to resign "for the good of the people of Franklin County."

"While the Committee is not recommending articles of impeachment for Sheriff Grismore, they made it clear that Mr. Grismore remaining in office is a detriment to the citizens of Franklin County," House Speaker Jill Krowinski said in a statement. "The Committee heard from many individuals, and while the report lays out a list of concerning actions that are completely unacceptable of an elected official, it does not meet the high bar for impeachment."

VERMONT SHERIFF ACCUSED OF KICKING SHACKLED PRISONER PRESSURED TO RESIGN

Grismore did not immediately return an email seeking comment. He told WCAX-TV that the recommendation not to pursue articles of impeachment is a vindication of what he knew all along.

Grismore was elected sheriff in November 2022, a few months after he was fired from his position as a captain in the sheriff’s department for kicking a shackled prisoner. He pleaded not guilty to a simple assault charge.

Grismore was the only candidate on the ballot after winning both the Republican and Democratic nominations in the Aug. 9, 2022, primary. Just before he took office in February 2023, state police said they were investigating the finances of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Grismore.

In December, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council found that he violated the state’s use of force policy and voted 15-1 that he permanently lose his law enforcement certification, which means he is unable to enforce the law in Vermont. A special legislative committee was formed last May to investigate possible impeachment.

The committee said in the report released Tuesday that it believes it's important for a sheriff to be able to fulfill law enforcement duties and should get ongoing law enforcement training, which is not available to a decertified officer. It also said it believes that a sheriff should show and uphold "the highest standards of honesty, integrity, conduct, and service."

"Through his conduct prior to taking office and his continued insistence that his use of force was appropriate, Mr. Grismore demonstrates none of these," the committee said.

Vermont sheriff accused of kicking shackled suspect loses certification

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A Vermont sheriff charged with assault for kicking a shackled prisoner is losing his law enforcement certification.

After hearing two days of testimony, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council on Wednesday found that Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore violated the state’s use of force policy and voted 15-1 that he permanently lose his ability to enforce the law in Vermont.

VERMONT LEGISLATURE FORMS IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICIALS

"Hopefully, law enforcement officers who might think of engaging in this kind of conduct will think not just twice, but many more times before engaging in this way," said Bill Sorrell, the chair of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, WCAX-TV reported.

Grismore will not lose his job as sheriff but he will no longer be able to issue tickets, make arrests, and investigate crimes. He said he plans to appeal.

"Demonstrating to law enforcement officers that they will lose their career by going out of their way to try to assist and intervene with unruly and dangerous individuals is going to have an extreme chilling effect," his attorney, Robert Kaplan, said, according to mynbc5.

Grismore was elected sheriff in November of last year even though he was fired from a job as a captain in the Franklin County sheriff’s department that August after video surfaced of him kicking a shackled prisoner. He pleaded not guilty to a simple assault charge.

Just before he took office in February, state police said they were investigating the finances of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Grismore. He is also facing the results of an investigation by a special committee of the Vermont Legislature formed to investigate his possible impeachment. The committee is scheduled to meet on Monday.

Vermont Gov. Scott vetoes Democratic Legislature’s self-imposed pay raise

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Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have raised the salaries for members of the state's part-time legislature and made them eligible for the state employees' health benefit plan.

VERMONT GOV. SCOTT VETOES $8B BUDGET THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN STATE'S LARGEST EVER

Scott wrote in his veto letter to lawmakers that the Legislature passed several pieces of legislation that he said will significantly increase costs for Vermonters through new and higher taxes, fees and penalties.

"In my opinion, it does not seem fair for legislators to insulate themselves from the very costs they are imposing on their constituents by doubling their own future pay," the governor wrote.

VERMONT LEGISLATURE FORMS IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICIALS

The bill would have raised the weekly salaries for senators and House representatives over several years to $1,210 with adjustments. They currently make about $812 a week now for the session that usually runs from January to mid-May, according to Vermont Public.

Scott has vetoed five bills this year. The legislature has overridden one of his bills and is returning to the Statehouse on June 20 to try to override others, including his veto of the state budget.

Vermont Legislature forms impeachment committee for Franklin County officials

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A special committee of the Vermont House of Representatives formed to investigate the possible impeachment of the Franklin County sheriff and state’s attorney will be meeting over the summer, the speaker of the Vermont House says.

Democratic Speaker Jill Krowinski says if the committee she named earlier this week determines the House should hold an impeachment vote she will call the chamber back into session.

VERMONT LAUNCHES IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATIONS INTO FRANKLIN COUNTY PROSECUTOR, SHERIFF

"That is a committee of seven, with Democrats, Republicans and an independent with each a different background that they bring that I really think helps to form a really thoughtful group of members to lead this investigation," Krowinski said Wednesday.

She promised a public process that will be scheduled over the next week or so.

Franklin County State’s Attorney John Lavoie is accused of harassing and discriminating against employees. Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore is facing an assault charge for kicking a shackled detainee, as well as a financial investigation.

Lavoie has acknowledged some inappropriate humor but doesn’t think his actions warrant him stepping down. Grismore has defended his actions.

VERMONT SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAPTAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR KICKING DETAINED MAN IN GROIN

Emails were sent Thursday to Lavoie and Grismore.

The Vermont Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to impeach "state criminals." If someone is impeached by a two-thirds vote in the House, that person would be tried in the Senate, which also requires a two-thirds vote for removal from office.

The Vermont Secretary of State says the last time impeachment proceedings took place in the Vermont House was in 1976 when the Washington County Sheriff was impeached by the House but, acquitted in the Senate. The last impeachment to end in a conviction and removal from office was in 1785.

Vermont launches impeachment investigations into Franklin County prosecutor, sheriff

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The Vermont speaker of the House announced Thursday that she has initiated the first step in an investigatory process that could lead to the impeachment of a county prosecutor, accused of harassing and discriminating against employees, and a sheriff, facing an assault charge and a financial investigation.

A resolution was expected to be introduced in the Vermont House to create a bipartisan committee to investigate the allegations against Franklin County State's Attorney John Lavoie and Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore.

"The people of Franklin County deserve justice and elected officials who they can trust to uphold the rule of the law and to represent their community with integrity," House Speaker Jill Krowinski said at a Statehouse press conference. Despite calls from Franklin County residents for Lavoie and Grismore to resign, they have refused to do so, she said.

VERMONT LEGISLATURE URGED TO IMPEACH PROSECUTOR OVER HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS

"It is clear that the only constitutional remedy for a county official who has committed a crime, gross misconduct or maladministration of office is impeachment," said Rep. Michael McCarthy, a Democrat from Franklin County.

Grismore was elected sheriff even though he was fired from a job as a captain in the Franklin County sheriff’s department last August after video surfaced of him kicking a shackled prisoner. In October he pleaded not guilty to a simple assault charge. Just before he became sheriff in February, the state police said that they were investigating the finances of the sheriff's department and Grismore.

VERMONT SHERIFF TAKES OFFICE WHILE FACING TWO INVESTIGATIONS

In Lavoie's case, Vermont prosecutors announced earlier this week that they have asked that the Legislature to consider impeachment proceedings against Lavoie after an investigation found that he harassed and discriminated against employees.

An independent investigation found credible evidence that Lavoie mistreated employees through repeated discriminatory comments and actions including derogatory references to national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and body composition, the Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ said. The investigation also substantiated at least two instances of unwanted physical contact, not of a sexual nature, the department said.

Phone messages were left for both Grismore and Lavoie.

Lavoie acknowledged to reporters on Tuesday some inappropriate humor but denied any unwanted physical contact or racist comments. He said he apologized to staff and others and doesn’t think his actions warrant him stepping down. Grismore has defended his actions as proper when dealing with the prisoner.

Vermont Legislature urged to impeach prosecutor over harassment, discrimination claims

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Vermont prosecutors have asked that the Legislature consider impeachment proceedings against a county prosecutor after an investigation found that he harassed and discriminated against employees.

An independent investigation found that multiple allegations employees made about Franklin County State's Attorney John Lavoie were credible and substantiated, the Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs' executive director said at a Statehouse press conference on Tuesday.

VERMONT STATE TROOPERS RESIGN OVER ALLEGED COMMENTS MADE DURING OFF-DUTY GAMING SESSIONS

There is credible evidence that Lavoie mistreated employees through repeated discriminatory comments and actions including derogatory references to national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and body composition, the department said in a statement.

"Further, at least two instances of unwanted physical contact, not of a sexual nature, were substantiated," the department said.

Lavoie has worked in the office for years and was elected state’s attorney in November. The department became aware of the allegations in March and started an investigation. Its executive committee has asked Lavoie to resign twice but he has refused, the department said.

VERMONT SHERIFF TAKES OFFICE WHILE FACING TWO INVESTIGATIONS

After the press conference, which Lavoie attended, he acknowledged to reporters some inappropriate humor but denied any unwanted physical contact or racist comments. He said he apologized to staff and others and doesn't think his actions warrant him stepping down.

"If I thought that anyone found my language or comments offensive, I would have stopped and apologized," said Lavoie.

"I guess I have to apologize for now suddenly being out of step with the times," he said.

Who is Senate pro tempore Patrick Leahy and why is he presiding over Trump impeachment trial?

Posted on by Marisa Schultz
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts presided over former President Trump's first impeachment trial a year ago for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. 

Trump impeachment lawyer calls out Senate Dems, says ex-president has no chance of ‘fair and full trial’

Posted on by Charles Creitz
David Schoen, one of two attorneys who will represent former President Donald Trump in his Senate impeachment trial this month, told "Hannity" Monday that Senate Democrats have already determined that Trump is guilty of the charge laid against him.