Westrum’s resignation followed hard on the heels of the resignation of Chief Deputy Jay Manhardt, who had resigned ten days previously.

It was not an easy parting for either man.  For five months, the Sheriff’s Department was embroiled in controversy stemming from issues related to the discipline of Mark Damren, a then-undercover drug enforcement officer whose position was funded by a federal “Weed and Seed” grant.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 93 — which represents sheriff's department employees, voted unanimously in February to demand that Westrum remove Manhardt from his position and stop the internal investigation into the misuse of a grant-funded cell phone by Damren.

Westrum refused.

By the end of February, Damren spoke to a local daily paper and alleged that Westrum had targeted him because he had testified against the sheriff in a grievance hearing involving another officer.

Damren also claimed in the article that Westrum, during an August 2006 boat ride on the Kennebec River while Damren was on duty, tried to touch his groin area. Westrum denied both allegations. Sagadahoc County opened a formal investigation into an allegation of sexual harassment made by "a patrol deputy against Sheriff Mark Westrum."  Both Westrum and Damren took polygraph tests, and both passed.

In early May, the investigator, Jonathan Goodman, found no "reliable basis" on which to determine if Westrum inappropriately touched Damren.

Then, Damren and his attorney, Michael Turndorf filed a whistleblower complaint in late June with the Maine Human Rights Commission against the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Department, claiming retaliation by Westrum against Damren for testifying during a grievance hearing. 

Sagadahoc County announced that they would ask the Maine Chiefs of Police Association to conduct an independent review of the sheriff's department.  The review had been authorized in late April, but was being held until the results of the harrassment investigation were in.

Just a few days later, on June 25, Jay Manhardt resigned.  Sgt. Dale Hamilton, speaking as vice president of the local union that represents the department said, "I can confirm that an e-mail from Jay went out to all employees of the sheriff's office.  And Jay said that he is leaving the sheriff's department for new opportunities. There's no indication as to where he may be going or if he has some other job lined up," Hamilton said. He said the e-mail from Manhardt stated that the resignation is effective July 25 and that he will be using vacation time until that date.

Manhardt will receive a severance package worth a total of $18,385.89 plus vacation and sick time, according to the county's finance director. As a result, his position cannot be filled until January of next year.

"This was a very hard decision for me to make," Westrum said, following a 9-0 vote by the board naming him as jail administrator. "Especially since I recently celebrated my 20th year anniversary with the sheriff's department, including 16 years as sheriff."

Sheridan Bond, chairman of the jail authority and a Lincoln County commissioner, said he was pleased that Westrum would be in charge of the jail.

"He's perfect for the jail, a natural for the job," Bond said after the meeting. "This will give the staff a well-needed sense of stability after two years of three administrators."

Westrum formally withdrew his name from consideration for re-election as well.  He would have been running against Joel Merry, who is the Democratic candidate.  Westrum’s departure leaves a void on the Republican ticket.

Sagadahoc County Republican Committee Chairman Chet Garrison said there are two candidates in the pool for the sheriff's position: Peter McCarthy, a retired State Police trooper from Topsham, and Steve Edmondson, the domestic violence investigator for Sagadahoc County and also resident of Topsham. Garrison said the caucus will be held July 27 at Bath City Hall.