El Paso County undersheriff returns to work

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says that Undersheriff Paula Presley has returned to work after taking sick leave last week. She returned to work Tuesday (6/10/14).

Presley is one of three sheriff’s office employees at the center of an investigation into Sheriff Terry Maketa.

The sheriff is accused of sexual favoritism and creating a hostile work environment.

There was speculation that Presley was not going to return after sources told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that she was seen cleaning out her office.

Bureau Chief Al Harmon served as acting undersheriff in Presley’s absence. Had Presley not returned after 30 days, Harmon’s salary would have been increased to $118,000 a year — which is what Presley makes.

Presley is a 28-year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. She started as a dispatcher and worked her way up to the position of undersheriff.