Jeff Hollowell
Sacramento, California; On March 8, 2022, Inyo County Superior Court ruled to dismiss the County of Inyo and County employee, Sue Dishion, in connection with claims regarding the invasion of the privacy rights of former Sheriff, Jeffrey Hollowell, when his confidential County personnel and military records were released by Dishion to her nephew without Hollowell’s authorization. Hollowell filed a lawsuit against the County, Dishion and two other defendants for Privacy Violations and Defamation.
The decision of the Court reads like it was results driven and designed to remove them as defendants, instead of a fair and persuasive effort to evaluate the evidence. Remarkably, the disclosure of Hollowell’s personnel records and confidential military records were released by the County without his express authority and in violation of the law protecting against peace officer record disclosures. Even more remarkable is that the County admitted the documents were released knowing they were going to be used for nefarious reasons.
The Court dismissed the County despite its own counsel admitting orally and in writing that the release of these records was an invasion of Hollowell’s privacy and illegal. The County sought, but failed, to retrieve the records illegally released and published. For some unknown reason the Court did not consider this evidence and sustained its preliminary ruling.
Hollowell’s Attorney, Anthony Perez, indicated, “The Courts’ ruling resulted in relieving the County and its employee from responsibility for the violation of privacy but also held the private citizens who are also defendants in this case are on the hook for their violation of privacy laws. The disclosures have nothing to do with free speech and we believe the Court’s decision will be reversed on appeal.”
Perez also stated, “There has always been a concern about peace officer confidential personnel records being made public due to the nature of their work and the potential for retaliation by criminals arrested and jailed or grudge retaliation. These concerns resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of peace officer records made illegal in California and subjecting individuals who unlawfully disclose such records to potential misdemeanor violations.”
Finally, it has been incorrectly reported that former Sherriff Hollowell resigned his position. Sheriff Hollowell retired from his position with the county and continues to express appreciation and pleasure in having served the citizens of Inyo County for over 30 years.
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Four years ago we had a chance to get rid of the corruption of Hollowell. Sadly, we didn’t.
Now the taxpayers are paying heavily for this frivolous lawsuit. Everyone in the current sheriff administration supports Hollowell. Can the voters please see this will not change if Pritchard remains sheriff? He was handpicked by Hollowell. What does that tell you?
Mr. Hollowell is most definitely not a victim here. What he is doing is looking for easy money to sustain his lifestyle. He’s claiming stress stemming from his election that he caused because he couldn’t be the bigger person, which goes against all things in law enforcement, I’m appalled that any high ranking official who makes way above median income would stoop to this level. Ms. Dishion and the county of Inyo are just collateral damage in his unethical agenda. Why does he actually believe that a public records request and an honest mistake equate to 20 million dollars? His motives are self serving and shows he never cared about the citizens of Inyo County. This folks is why the public questions police actions, which is unfortunate. There are many amazing police officers who truly care about their career choices and the public. These officers work under a great deal of stress and people like Hollowell make it more difficult to preform their duties with their head held high. Shame on him and the joke he has made out of our community
Our Sheriffs office deputies often do good work around here. Been much less impressed with our Sheriffs themselves these past years. Maybe Johnston can do a better job.
Hi Sami I agree with you regarding the sheriff’s deputies doing good work, but I don’t think Mr. Johnston is our answer here. I’ve researched Ms. Rennie and im quite impressed with her resume. I think she is what we need to make the necessary changes in our current law enforcement system. I’ll be voting for her
Johnston and Rennie aggressively supported Hollowell and that doesn’t appear to have changed. Pritchard was obviously handpicked as said above. Outside looking in, Vetter appears to be the only one who isn’t good ole boy and will hold this administration accountable and bring back integrity to this department. The list is too long with the disgusting acts that openly go on in that administration for far too long. Time we get someone in there who will challenge that status quo.
So Ret. Lt I’m assuming you know all the candidates personally. Tell me why you think Mr Vetter is a stronger candidate? He’s worked patrol his entire career. He hasn’t worked in management, knows nothing about budgets or policies. His whole platform has been shirt tailing Prichard and Rennie. So I’m not impressed. I’ve watched him and im disappointed. I’ve tried to keep an open mind in this sheriff’s election because the last election was a mud slinging mess.. But do we as citizens of Inyo County want a Sheriff who steals others information as their own or do we want a sheriff with a strong background and an substantial resume. You tell me?
Cinnamon, in relation to this article, it appears we agree Hollowell is not a victim and reaps what he sows. He has a six figure retirement and is just a narcissist and is angry he got exposed. As far as current candidates, if you are thinking in only assumptions with no evidence, then don’t bother reading further. We can keep it really simple: all of us are stakeholders in this election. But who are the most impacted stakeholders? Deputies, correctional officers, and staff. I urge you and others to ask current and former deputies and correctional officers who they support (off-duty of course). All of those persons I have talked to have no respect for the current administration and support Vetter. That is how I have done my research. I would hope many of you do the same.
I hardly think Vetter is the answer. Look into why he left Inyo, you might be surprised. His integrity and morals are not all that he claims they are. Research and make an informed decision. Don’t pick a candidate to vote for based solely on what they tell you. Look into their qualifications.
edward
You state “Don’t pick a candidate to vote for based solely on what they tell you “.
On a bigger,National scale,it seems people should have or will have learned that from our 2016 Presidential election not to do that ever again.
If there’s one thing people should’ve learned from that back in 2016,some candidates running for office lie a lot.
What they say they’re going to do,turns out not so much what they actually and eventually do,and can be a threat to our democracy from what we saw on Jan 6th,2020.
I found the interview of Vetter in the 4/15/22 edition of The Sheet incredibly interesting; particularly the part about pursuing the “unfamiliar” man on his neighbor’s property. He sounds very proud of pursuing and tackling a “known burglar” who was trespassing.
Are his records that shameful? Just asking, ‘cause they’re not all that public. I haven’t seen them…. And how does “appreciation and pleasure” of serving the citizens equate with suing the citizens….?
Alice, check out http://www.militarycorruption.com
Attorney for Former Sheriff Jeff Hollowell Issues Statement Regarding Court Ruling, Sierra Wave Media Publishes It Without Comment
Turn about is fair play copper.
Valid claims against peace officers are routinely dismissed due to qualified immunity, etc.
Go spend your pension and leave us alone.
Thanks.
I would have liked to have seen people held accountable, not something we usually see in this county.
They have been held accountable. I mean, Sue got a $30K/year raise and a promotion to a position that wasn’t recruited for. That’s Inyo County accountability right there! Screw up and move up.