A Dawson County Sheriff's Office employee who reportedly lied about being involved in an inappropriate relationship with his subordinate resigned on Friday after a period of leave.

Cpl. John Carter resigned during the appeal process of his disciplinary hearing on Jan. 20.

His subordinate, Jennifer Mott, was terminated on Jan. 11. Both worked in the detention center.
According to Sheriff Jeff Johnson, an internal affairs investigation revealed that Carter, 29, and Mott, 30, intentionally and knowingly lied to supervisors when questioned about the existence of a relationship.

Carter had been employed with the department since October 2014.

Johnson said on Jan. 13 that the relationship was discussed within the department as early as August, which prompted then Detention Commander David Lingerfelt to inquire about the relationship.

According to the personnel management policy, "it is strongly discouraged for any supervisor and any subordinate throughout the agency to establish a dating/intimate relationship. In the event that a supervisor and a subordinate do establish such a relationship, the supervisor must immediately advise his or her division commander or deputy chief. Failure to disclose the relationship by the supervisor may result in disciplinary action.

"Also, if in the same supervisory chain-of-command, either the supervisor or the subordinate will be transferred out of the other's chain-of-command if a position exists and he or she is qualified. If no other agency position exists that he or she is qualified for, the supervisor may be removed from his or her supervisory position as deemed appropriate by the sheriff."

Johnson said it is not the existence of the relationship that has resulted in the disciplinary action, but the confirmed and admitted dishonesty.

Under the sheriff's office code of conduct, it is expected that each employee shall be truthful in all matters and will not make any false statement or intentionally misrepresent facts under any circumstances.

Mott was hired in April 2016. Her employment was immediately terminated due to her still serving on a probationary status.

According to sheriff's office policy, any employee serving in the initial 12-month probationary period may be terminated from employment by the chief deputy for any reason deemed to be in the best interests of the agency.

Both Carter and Mott declined to comment on specifics, but said that the situation is outlined in the paperwork from the internal affairs investigation.

The Dawson County News has filed an open records request to obtain the personnel files of Carter and Mott, which should contain documentation of the internal affairs investigation that resulted in their departure from the sheriff's office.

For updates check back at dawsonnews.com and in the next edition of the Dawson County News.