Delaware County jail administrator dismissed in wake of settlement, investigation
BY SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
JAY — A Delaware County jail administrator who has been at the center of a firestorm involving the sheriff’s office and a $13.5 million lawsuit settlement has been dismissed from his position, according to records released Wednesday.
Lonnie Hunter, who has been on administrative leave since June 29, went through an exit interview on Wednesday, according to Delaware County records.
Hunter began working for the sheriff’s department in March 2003 and at the time of his dismissal was making $1,650 a month, records show. A one-page written exit interview form shows Nov. 15 as the date Hunter will be discharged. The form indicates he is being dismissed and not retiring nor resigning.
Hunter does not have a listed telephone number and could not be reached for comment.
He has been on administrative leave for several months after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation earlier this year.
Hunter and Bill Sanders, Sr. who died in November 2008 were at the middle of the multi-million dollar federal lawsuit in which 15 former inmates accused the sheriff’s department of rape and other forms of sexual assaults and of former sheriff Jay Blackfox of covering the men’s actions.
Blackfox has denied any wrongdoing and was never accused of any sexual misconduct. He resigned on Friday.
Hunter has not been charged with any crimes.
District Attorney Eddie Wyant said the OSBI investigation into Hunter’s alleged actions is ongoing.
Read more in Thursday's Tulsa World.
