Why did El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa agree to retire only two weeks before his term would have run out?
He wouldn’t say. Perhaps it was just a hollow gesture. The fact is the state’s most notorious sheriff leaves his office in shambles. Good riddance.
It is a shame because Maketa’s nearly 30 years of public service, including twice being elected sheriff of Colorado’s most populated county, should be laudable.
Once considered a viable candidate for higher office, Maketa’s reputation now is sullied amid allegations of sexual favoritism, intimidation and other improprieties.
continue to probe Maketa and his office for possible financial malfeasance.
A county investigation found Maketa had inappropriate relationships with subordinates and offered to endorse a sheriff’s candidate in exchange for favors.
El Paso County spent $247,000 in legal fees on employee-related and financial investigations and $167,000 for paid administrative leave for three commanders who filed complaints against Maketa.
El Paso County commissioners in May asked Maketa to resign. But he didn’t.
Maketa issued an apology, kept a low profile and appeared to be defiantly resisting leaving until Wednesday, his last day.
Big deal. Should have happened much earlier.
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