Sixty Cook County sheriff’s deputies are being investigated for allegedly lying about the number of hours they worked, a sheriff’s official said Wednesday.
The investigation began “several months ago” and should be resolved within the next six weeks, said Cara Smith, chief policy officer for Sheriff Tom Dart.
“We’re continuing with the investigation and will take appropriate action once it’s concluded,” Smith said.
The deputies are salaried employees who receive paid overtime for working in county courthouses, courtrooms and security stations. The group includes supervisors.
There have been at least five investigations into attendance-related fraud or irregularities in the past four years, including a recent probe into the fugitive task force of the central warrants division, Smith said.
In September, five deputies from the fugitive task force were suspended without pay and one of those employees, a sergeant, has since resigned.
The sheriff’s office is seeking termination of the other four employees involved, Smith said. That incident, however, is unrelated to the current investigation in the courthouse division.
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