UPDATE: Maketa posts apology video to employees on sheriff’s office internal site
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says that Sheriff Terry Maketa posted an apology video on its internal site on Saturday.
The sheriff is embroiled in a controversy involving allegations of creating a hostile work environment, misuse of taxpayer money and sexual favoritism.
He is accused of having inappropriate relationships with three women in his office and promoting them to positions they didn’t earn. Hundreds of intimate texts and emails have surfaced that document his relationship with one of the women, comptroller Dorene Cardarelle.
He denied the accusations when confronted by the Colorado Springs Gazette.
In the video, Maketa says that he “engaged in inappropriate behavior in the past” and that when confronted about the behavior he denied it, which compounded the problem.
El Paso County Commissioners want Maketa to resign immediately. They said at a meeting last week that his employees have lost trust in him. While he admitted fault, he also blames the publicity for causing problems.
“I know that these events and media attention are a distraction, and I appreciate everyone’s ongoing commitment to completing the office mission day in and day out despite that,” said Maketa.
While he never directly address calls for his resignation, he promises to make improvements and move forward. Maketa reiterates his intention to serve out the remainder of his term in the video and promises to “get better each hour, each day.”
KRDO NewsChannel 13 has a copy of the video, which has poor quality audio. The full transcript is included below.
TRANSCRIPT:
“I come before you embarrassed and humbled by the events of this past week. I engaged in inappropriate behavior in the past. When confronted about that behavior, I denied it, thereby compounding the problem by not being candid. Each of you deserves better from me, and it is my intention, what remains of my term, to do better each hour, each day. I apologize for my behavior and not being forthright. I come to offer you an apology and tell you how I envision the future of this office as we move forward. I know that these events and media attention are a distraction, and I appreciate everyone’s ongoing commitment to completing the office mission day in and day out despite that. I cannot change the past, but I can take what I have learned and experienced and use it to better serve you. The Community of El Paso County. Better than ever before. That is what I intend to do. Given that my term will expire in the near future, my goal is to begin preparing and assisting with the transition. I’ll work with each of you, and the new sheriff, to make that transition as seamless, and painless as possible. Quite frankly, the office is in very good shape. We’re on budget. We’re staffed with a dedicated and well trained work force. I foresee very few changes. Indeed, under only the most urgent and dire circumstances will there be any personnel actions. Published policies and procedures of this office will be followed to the letter. I’ve long known the value of forgiveness. Some of you have benefited from that. During this last week people in the office and in the community have voiced their support to me and their willingness to forgive. It’s a very humbling experience, and it’s one that will make me a better manager and a better sheriff. I will strive toward a better trust and forgiveness. I know I have a long way to go, but we’ve come a long way together. Securing an increase in funding to keep each of you and each citizen of this county safe and better protected. We have the finest training facilities in the state. The organization as well as the community has benefited from the new (unintelligible) headquarters building, which allowed us to centralize many of our services. — (unintelligible) — continued compliance with this high standards which distinguishes us as a leader in law enforcement. Together we can build on these accomplishments. (unintelligible) sheriff, with an office that is committed to being prepared to respond to any demands and law enforcement potentials — civil process, emergency management, search and rescue. An office, which all of you, the citizens of El Paso County, can be very proud once again.”
