Sheriff's Finance Director Reprimanded

A written reprimand was given to the sheriff's finance director on Friday for her drunken driving arrest last July.

In the reprimand, released Tuesday, Sheriff Richard Nugent told Emily Vernon that her attempts to seek counseling the Monday after the incident "lead me to believe you have taken steps in the right direction."

Vernon, 40, is to continue that counseling and send reports on her progress to Human Resources after three and six months. Her employment at the sheriff's office depends on her continued abstinence and any repeat violations will lead to "immediate termination," the reprimand states.

The reprimand is part of an internal affairs investigation into Vernon's actions the night of July 11, 2008. Around 11:30 p.m., drivers in the Lake Lindsey area began calling authorities to report a black Chevy pickup truck that was weaving across the road and forcing some drivers to take evasive action.

The pickup came to a stop after crashing into a road sign at the intersection of Lake Lindsey and Daly roads. The witnesses following the pickup arrived too late to see Vernon climb out of the truck, but did find her staggering around the scene of the crash. Deputies detected alcohol on Vernon's breath and found wine bottles in the pickup, but did not arrest her because there were no witnesses that could place her behind the wheel.

Four days later, witnesses came forward that could prove she was driving and Vernon was charged with DUI. She pleaded no contest Feb. 12 and received the standard DUI sanctions, including a year of probation and a six-month driver's license suspension.

The internal investigation resumed when the criminal charges were squared away and determined that Vernon violated policy that restricts alcohol use.