SALINAS, Calif.- More controversy in the legal battle between the Monterey County Sheriff and one of his sergeants.
Wednesday, we told you a judge rejected a temporary restraining order against Sheriff Scott Miller, by Sergeant Archie Warren.
This investigation started after Sgt. Archie Warren was transferred from the narcotics unit to the coroner's division.
Warren's attorney, David Mastagni claims, "Without anything further, officer Warren has shown he's been retaliated against."
But today, Sheriff Miller's attorney said that's not true. This investigation has nothing to do with Jacob Miller's arrest, "It had to do with another matter where the Sergeant disclosed info to the public through the press about an unrelated narcotic action."
Miller's attorney explained the investigation is to find out whether Warren leaked information to the media about a marijuana bust.
Martin Mayer said the Sheriff's Office wants to know what Warren said about the bust planned for the same time Miller talked publicly about his son's arrest last week.
Mayer said the bust was canceled because of the leak.
This was all supposed to be confidential. It wasn't even entered into evidence during Wednesday's hearing, but both sides say it's obvious what happened after it showed up in today's Monterey Herald.
"The article indicates that it was someone in the Sheriff's Office. I have no idea where that info came from," said Mayer.
But Warren's attorney said no matter how the info was released, it's a bogus attempt to hurt Warren's case.
"The fact the Sheriff's Department has gone public that is to the media with quote, a new investigation, is a further violation of the Peace Officer Bill of Rights, the penal code, and the right to confidentiality of the effected officers and the department," said Mastagni.
Everyone will be back in court at the end of August. That is the chance Miller's camp has to defend the allegations of retaliation.
Warren's side will ask for an injunction. Basically a stop to any further possible retaliation.
