Commissioner Says She's Been Bullied By Embattled Sheriff Terry Maketa

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - There is a new call for El Paso Sheriff Terry Maketa to step down coming straight from a county commissioner.

The request comes after allegations Maketa had sexual relationships with subordinates. Commissioner Peggy Littleton says Maketa should resign immediately.

Maketa's assistant says he has nothing to say to the media.

Littleton said she herself was actually bullied by the sheriff and didn't mince words when discussing Maketa with CBS4's Tom Mustin.

"Do the right thing and resign," Littleton said.

Maketa is fighting accusations of having sex with female subordinates and giving them preferential treatment when it came to raises and promotions.

"There have been rumors that have been floating out there for many, many years," Littleton said.

The Colorado Springs Gazette first published the story and included a shirtless cellphone photo Maketa allegedly sent to one of the women. He's also accused of promoting a hostile work environment. Littleton says she's experienced firsthand what she calls the sheriff's bullying.

"I personally have been the recipient of a couple of letters that were rather inflated and demeaning and angry and bullying in nature from the sheriff," Littleton said.

County officials announced they have launched an independent investigation into the allegations. Littleton says with more fires and floods on the horizon this summer, the city needs a strong sheriff, and she believes Maketa's credibility is gone.

"There's such great mistrust and such great demoralization," Littleton said.

Not everyone agrees. Fellow commissioner Dennis Hisey says asking the sheriff to resign now is premature.

"I would like to have more evidence than an article in a paper," Hisey said.

Maketa will be termed out of office in January, but Littleton says the time for Maketa to step down is now.

"Think about the people and think about trustworthiness in office," she said.

County commissioners will meet again on Thursday. They say there are several possible outcomes and right now nothing is off the table.

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