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Video: Blount Co. Sheriff agrees to resign

Blount county sheriff agrees to resign. Jennifer Hale ... (Added: December 16, 2008)

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By NBC13 Staff
Published: December 16, 2008

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Blount County Sheriff Danny Morton will resign on January 15 after striking a deal with a special prosecutor investigating his alleged sexual misconduct with another county employee.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigations and Special Prosecutor Tom Sorrells have been investigating the allegations for months.

Monday, Sorrells announced Morton agreed to resign as sheriff, and in return, Sorrells promises not to refer charges to a grand jury and to close the investigation.

Monday's agreement ends a criminal investigation that began back in Spring 2008.

A Blount County sheriff's deputy came forward, accusing Morton of taking her for a ride in his county issued truck, pressuring her to drink alcohol, fondling her against her will, then performing sex acts on her.

The deputy's attorney says his client is relieved and happy with the criminal case's outcome:

"My client is very much feeling vindicated tonight. There were those who said that coming forward with allegations of these kind could cost her," said Adam Morel.

NBC 13 tried to reach Morton and his attorney for comment, but we were only able to leave messages, both on their voicemails and with secretaries.

This is not the end of Morton's legal proceedings.

The deputy has filed two civil complaints against Morton: one with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming sexual discrimination - another with the U. S District Court.

That suit asks the court to force Morton and the Blount County Commission to pay damages for the deputy's mental anguish.

Monday's agreement focuses solely on the criminal investigation, and it has no official influence on the civil cases.

Nonetheless, Morel said it's a good start for his client.

"The fact that he is resigning after these charges were made by my client speaks for itself, and it certainly does not hurt," he said.

Morel plans to begin taking depositions for the civil case in early January, including Morton's.