If the race for Campbell County Sheriff seemed contentious before, the intensity was heightened last week when the website Officers for Honesty created an uproar.

“The Officers for Honesty website is a joint effort – although a separate website – it is a joint website between myself Patrick Watsabaugh as Chairman for Officers for Honesty and Mr. (Dave) Lauck and Lauck for Sheriff” explained Patrick Watsabaugh, Chairman of Officers for Honesty.

The website breaks down their thoughts on all of the 2010 sheriff candidates, especially current Sheriff Bill Pownall.

Yet by far, the website’s biggest draw and the epicenter of the latest controversy stems from the audio recordings found at the website, all of which were recorded from the 1990s through the present day, according to Lauck.

During his tenure at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Lauck recorded many of his co-workers. 

Many of the sound bites at the website present serious accusations for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office to defend. 

“Now one question that’s been brought up is, ‘Why did these recordings ever come to exist?’ Lauck noted.  “And the answer to that is very simple.  I was reporting misconduct issues inside the agency, and I was actually asked if I had recording of them, and when I didn’t – I had never reported other officers in my entire career for misconduct issues – they basically said if it’s not recorded it didn’t happen.”

When asked for comment, Campbell County Sheriff Bill Pownall read a brief statement, “These so-called recordings started back in the early ‘90s and a federal judge would not allow them in the lawsuit against me, and for obvious reasons, they were not true.  I take offense to the fact that Mr. Lauck wants to slander the fine, hardworking dedicated men and women of the sheriff’s office.  I’m the one that volunteered to be put in this political fray, not the employees of the sheriff’s office.”

Pownall went on to say that he viewed the Officers for Honesty website as a political ploy.  “The citizens of Campbell County can be proud of the accomplishments that the sheriff’s office has done over the past 7 ½ years that I’ve been their sheriff.”

One criticism of the website and the audio files found there is whether or not those audio recordings are presented in their proper context.

“These are exerts from longer conversations” Lauck responded.  “Simply because the website is large enough already we didn’t expect people to sit there and listen for an hour of conversation to hear a 30-second sound bite.  It’s been simplified. The Campbell County Sheriff’s Department has those conversations in their totality.  So if they’re saying they don’t know what’s on either side of them, they’re not being straightforward.”

Campbell County Sheriff Bill Pownall said he does not have possession of the Lauck recordings.  Pownall added that he has a big issue with how those audio recordings are presented, both in their validity and in their context.

“Some of the things I did listen to I know they were not true” Pownall responded.  “Some of the things that I listened to that obviously they were claiming they were certain people and that isn’t who was being recorded.  So like I say, if people look at that [the website] they need to really scrutinize it.”

Department of Criminal Investigations Agent Forrest Williams has also released a statement challenging the context of one of the quotes on the website operated by Watsabaugh and Lauck.  You can view Williams’ statement in its entirety by clicking here.

To summarize, Williams said the audio link of a DCI agent’s derogatory opinion of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office is not the truth.  Williams said that he is the DCI agent that is quoted, but that he does not believe there is widespread corruption at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

“I personally and professional have an excellent relationship with many of the fine employees at the sheriff’s office” Williams said.

Of course the DCI quote is just one of many audio recordings at the website.  Lauck said the website deals with many issues of public concern. 

Regardless there is one thing that both Lauck and Pownall can agree on.  They both agree that if the public has any concerns or questions about the Officers for Honesty website, their doors are open for those questions and concerns.

“If the citizens have questions of me, they should contact me directly” Lauck said.  “I’ve heard a lot of slanderous rumors going around.”

“Again I’m always available” said Pownall, “open to citizens to call me and would appreciate it if anybody had any concerns to give me a call and I’d be more than happy to answer any of their questions.”

Concerned citizens will have a prime opportunity to hear from, and question many of the candidates for Campbell County Sheriff including Pownall and Lauck this Tuesday July 20 when they appear on News/Talk 1270-AM KIML with Political Panacea host Glenn Woods. 

This sheriff’s forum will begin at 8:00 AM and is scheduled to last for two hours.