Dona Ana County sheriff files petition for temporary restraining order against county

Once again, Dona Ana County Sheriff Kiki Vigil is firing back at the county, this time he alleges, for improperly suspending two employees and preventing him from hiring another.

Vigil told ABC-7 on Tuesday, he filed a petition seeking a temporary restraining order that would prohibit County Manager Julia Brown, county commissioners and the county attorney from interfering with the sheriff’s department when it comes to personnel issues.

ABC-7 obtained a copy of the 28 page document.

Sheriff Vigil stepped up to the podium during a commissioners meeting and told commissioners County Manager Julia Brown put two of his employees on administrative leave with out his consent. One of those employees is his department manager. He also claims Brown is refusing to hire an employee because she is the sister of Commissioner Leticia Benavidez.Vigil said it’s “widely known” that Benavidez didn’t want to renew Brown’s contract. H claims Brown’s actions are retaliation.

“We have investigators that have conducted this in the past before on all staff in sheriff’s department so for her to take those superintendent powers and abuse her authority over the sheriff’s department, that’s wrong,” Vigil said.

But Brown said she was just following procedure.

“When complaints are made against employees in which there needs to be an investigation those employees are placed on paid administrative leave,” she said.