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Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave (Courtesy photo)
DOVER - Shortly after Strafford County Commissioners were notified that the county's high sheriff, Mark Brave, was under criminal investigation by the Attorney Generals Office, they asked him to take a leave of absence.
Brave told The Rochester Voice today he refused to do so, because he's done nothing wrong.
He said the county commissioners began targetting him after his wife was arrested for driving under the influence as they returned from a Christmas party on Dec. 10 during a State Police saturation patrol in the Greater Portmsouth area.
"We were both at the party, she said she could drive and I thought she could," Brave said. "It's happened to a lot of people out there."
He said soon after the incident the County Commissioners, including Chairman George Maglaras, have been trying to "mess with me," he said.
"They tried to say I used my office to get my wife off," he said. "I was in the car in the passenger seat. I never said a word, but Maglaras said I told him I was home when she was arrested. I wasn't. I was right there in the car."
His wife lost her license and just recently got it back.
Meanwhile, County Attorney Tom Velardi sent an email on Thursday stating that during the AG's Office of Public Integrity investigation, the county commissioners "continue to monitor the activities of the Sheriff's Office to ensure that office is operating."
Because Brave is an elected independent constitutional officer with no direct oversight by the commissioners, he cannot be forced to take a leave of absence.
But, just the same, Brave contends that the commissioners have been doing nothing but meddle in the running of the sheriff's department, especially in recent months.
"The commissioners and other county personnel are cooperating with the requests of the Attorney General as this investigation continues to unfold," Velardi added.
The probe is being led by Senior Assistant Attorney General Dan Jimenez.
The allegations against Brave include theft, falsification in official matters and abuse of office.
The allegations against Brave include theft, falsification in official matters and abuse of office.
Brave told The Voice today he is being railroaded and the commissioners, especially Maglaras just want him gone.
Brave, who said the county used taxpayer money to have him investigated by MRI, noted that he's already spent $50,000 of his own money to defend himself against the claims made against him and to keep him off the "Laurie List," which lists law enforcement officers with integrity issues.
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