QC sheriff expects to be exonerated after ethics complaint
Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane says he expects to be exonerated after a complaint was filed earlier this week with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
According to records, the board is investigating whether Lane used public resources for political purposes, as prohibited by the Iowa code.
“Tim Lane registered an entry in the (Oct. 28, 2023) parade to include three Scott County Sheriff patrol vehicles and estimated eight persons to be included in his entry,” the complaint says.
Photos attached show Lane in his official uniform, as well as some of the attending Scott County Sheriff Reserves, the complaint says. “In addition, Tim Lane’s wife and offspring were present wearing ‘Tim Lane for Sheriff’ T-shirts. This appears to be use of Scott County public resources, by a Scott County official, for personal self promotion, which is a violation of Iowa Code 68.505,” the complaint alleges.
Lane released a statement to Our Quad Cities News on Thursday:
“The Sheriff’s Office and myself were in the Bettendorf Halloween parade handing out candy to kids,” he said. “The Sheriff’s Office has participated in this event for many years and also assists with the uniformed security for the event.”
“This was not a campaign event. I publicly announced that I was running for reelection in front of the Scott County Republican Central Committee in January of this year and it was later published in February,” Lane said. “Even though my Republican opponent denies involvement in the ethics complaint, the name of the person who filed the complaint is public and is in fact from his campaign.”
The photo above, Lane says, “is of all of those who were involved in the parade entry and was taken within about an hour of the start of the parade,” including reserve deputies and Lane. “Reserve Deputy refers to a non-paid volunteer deputy sheriff from the Scott County Reserve Deputy Program,” Lane said.
“I expect to be exonerated in this and again be in the Halloween parade this fall,” Lane told Our Quad Cities News.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
