Misuse of Office

Many people asked me why I resigned from the Valley County Sheriff’s Office in 2012. I never elaborated on it, as I do not think it was the thing to speak ill of anyone and my running for Sheriff would say enough about my concerns for the well being of our Valley County.

I resigned my position with the VCSO for multiple reasons and believe me it was not because my spouse was here illegally as Casey Hurlburt and the Nuisance Public Figure would have you believe. Like I explained before, my spouse was never illegal in the U.S., as a matter of fact Casey Hurlburt was trying to keep me employed under his thumb at all cost by offering me a pay raise, calling a local business man to lend me a personal loan (I did not want or asked for). After listening to Casey Hurlburt’s theatrical outbursts for three days, that included a trip in the country, and a talk to my wife, I took my family and left town for a couple of days. I decided that I was not willing to work for this Sheriff any longer and affirmed my resignation.

During my four years of employment with Casey Hurlburt I witnessed the misuse of office by Casey Hurlburt as Valley County Sheriff. He hired new employees with a promised position that was not available and knew he could not keep the promise without one of his current employees stepping down in title or rank. The Sheriff instructed deputies to make arrests on civil cases which was thankfully redirected by the county attorney and thankfully no arrests were made. While Casey Hurlburt worked on his homes it was normal for him to have his deputies on duty bring him sodas, cigarettes, and pick up pizza’s that he had ordered. Hurlburt was constantly interrupting deputies on patrol to help him with personal work at his residence and check out newly purchased toys such as vehicles, horses, ATVs, etc... Inmates were driven from the Courthouse property to assist in moving a new employee into the new employee’s residence. There’s a huge amount of liability that comes with the care and keep of inmates without taking them on outings likes this. What if one of them got hurt? An injury can and will most likely financially break the County. Casey Hurlburt has always took priority in Hunting trips, building new homes, and raising dogs over the Valley County Sheriffs Office and jail. A less than 40 hour work week was the norm for the Sheriff. The little time spent in the office was spent by shopping on eBay, amazon, and other websites for personal use on County provided computers while the secretary was over tasked. Casey Hurlburt accepted questionable asphalt millings from the State of Nebraska for the property he owned on highway 70 north of Ord. When Casey Hurlburt was asked why he did things the way he did, the only answer he could or would give you was “Because I’m the Sheriff”. Christmas 2011 we made Casey his own t-shirt with that slogan for that reason. A conversation was held with my spouse by the Sheriff where she had to excuse herself and draw a clear line that Casey Hurlburt was going too far as my supervisor.

The misuse of office and county equipment has not stopped till this day after I quit the VCSO. No, the Sheriff became bolder in the misuse. Jail uniforms showed up on Facebook in a party bus. Decals were being put on the Sheriff’s patrol pick up, that he was forced to remove. Checks are being left in the office pre-signed as he is hardly available to sign them. Gun permits are pre-signed and not reviewed by the Sheriff, Semi trucks are being towed by the Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, inmates being transported to the Sheriff’s residence to assist him with personal matters, questing without Garrity Rights. The list goes on and on.

Only the voting public can hold the Sheriff accountable, unfortunately this only happens every four years.