By Associated Press - Friday, September 23, 2016

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - A Howard County official is calling on Sheriff James F. Fitzgerald to resign amid accusations of discrimination and harassment against his employees.

County Executive Allan Kittleman asked Fitzgerald to resign in a letter Thursday, citing the importance of maintaining the public’s trust in law enforcement personnel. Three former county executives issued a joint statement with Kittleman.

The move comes after an investigation by the county’s Office of Human Rights determined that a former sheriff’s lieutenant was “subjected to a severe and pervasive workplace environment” for not supporting Fitzgerald’s political campaign.



Fitzgerald is also accused of making derogatory comments about African Americans, women and Jews.

The Baltimore Sun reports a state attorney general’s office spokeswoman says Fitzgerald, a Democrat serving his third term as elected sheriff, disagrees with the investigation’s findings.

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