El Paso County receives first bill from law firms investigating Sheriff’s Office

El Paso County commissioners got the first bill for the sheriff’s office investigation.

More than $110,000 in legal fees and it will come from taxpayer wallets.

County commissioners said they didn’t have a choice because of the nature of the investigation.

Three different firms are charging the county and taxpayers will foot the bill.

“We’re not going to pay for them out of the general fund budget, but deduct them from the sheriff,” said Commissioner Peggy Littleton. “Yes it is still taxpayer money, but it’s just what pot is it going to come out of.”

The law firms are investigating complaints filed to the commissioners alleging discrimination, budget flaws and accusations that Sheriff Terry Maketa created a hostile work environment.

Maketa admitted last summer to an affair with a comptroller.

The $110,000 doesn’t include an additional $10,000 the county paid for Maketa’s private attorney, Pamela Mackey.

“We would do that regardless of the employee or what the actions were,” Littleton said.

Whether the sheriff stays or goes doesn’t matter, that investigation into the office still has to happen.

Commissioners can’t discuss specifics of those attorney bills as the office’s investigation continues.

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Greg White said the office is looking at ways to offset the cost of the investigation.