FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Larimer County sheriff candidate Carl Bruning has asked for an investigation of remarks about him posted online, saying the details are true but the comments are disparaging.
The current sheriff, Jim Alderden, declined, saying the comments are protected speech. He says Bruning has “a lot to learn” about the First Amendment.
The anonymous comments criticize Bruning for being a member of the Sierra Club, working for a company that was sued by its shareholders and having no law-enforcement experience.
Bruning is seeking the GOP nomination for sheriff. Alderden, who’s best known for the investigation of the 2009 “balloon boy” hoax, can’t run again because of term limits.
He has endorsed Bruning’s primary opponent, sheriff’s Maj. Justin Smith.
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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan,
