Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Officials file request to have NC sheriff removed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A county attorney has filed the paperwork with a judge to have a North Carolina sheriff removed from office.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Taylor has asked a judge to conduct a hearing on the request involving Sheriff Tim Daugherty as soon as possible.

Lincoln County commissioners voted unanimously last month to authorize Taylor to begin legal proceedings to remove Daugherty.

The sheriff has been indicted on two counts of felony obstruction of justice. He is accused of covering up a fixed drunken-driving investigation.

Daugherty has pleaded not guilty and said through his attorney that he would not resign.

If he is suspended, Daugherty would be replaced by new Chief Deputy Larry Stanley.