but impeachment panel recommends Franklin County sheriff resign
by Guy Page
The Vermont House Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry will not recommend impeachment of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore, who before his election as sheriff was caught on video kicking (or as he says, pushing) a handcuffed suspect in the groin, House Speaker Jill Krowinski said today.
However, the panel “recommends” that he resign for the good of the people of Franklin County and the Office of Franklin County Sheriff.” It also recommends the Senate approve an amendment to give the Legislature more say over qualifications for holding the office of sheriff.
Proposal 1, which would do just that, has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February but reportedly was not enthusiastically received by the full body of the Senate. It’s now in the Government Operations Committee.
Some lawmakers believe the problems arising from various sheriffs’ departments don’t require a constitutional amendment. As Rep. Gina Galfetti (R-Barre Town) wrote in VDC, “You can kill a mosquito with a sledge hammer. But should you?”
The impeachment panel came under fire for holding many behind-closed-doors meetings and for not addressing beforehand the problem of impeaching an elected official for an offense committed before he was elected.
House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement today regarding the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry decision to not recommend articles of impeachment for Grismore:
“I thank the members of the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry, who for months have worked diligently and impartially on these important matters. While the Committee is not recommending articles of impeachment for Sheriff Grismore, they made it clear that Mr. Grismore remaining in office is a detriment to the citizens of Franklin County. The Committee heard from many individuals, and while the report lays out a list of concerning actions that are completely unacceptable of an elected official, it does not meet the high bar for impeachment.
“The Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry does make final recommendations that I believe are critical to ensure that Sheriff Grismore is held accountable, and we can address similar issues in the future. The Committee recommends that Sheriff Grismore resign for the good of the people of Franklin County and the Office of Franklin County Sheriff. Additionally, the Committee urges the Vermont Senate to adopt a proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution that would allow for qualifications to be set for the office of Sheriff. This process has highlighted a concerning gap in our laws, and without action by the Senate, we risk being unable to hold individuals accountable in the future.
“An impeachment inquiry is a unique, long, and arduous process, and is a tool that is rarely used by the legislature except in extreme circumstances. I would like to especially thank Representatives Martin LaLonde and Mike McCarthy, Chair and Vice Chair of the committee, for their leadership and perseverance to this investigative process. This work would not be possible without the support from the Office of Legislative Counsel, Downs Rachlin Martin, and the individuals that came forward as witnesses to share their experiences.”