From left, Washington County Veterans Service Commissioners Brad Webb, Jared Smith and Timothy Gillenwalters review documentation regarding complaints against Executive Director Darren Shearlock prior to the start of Thursday evening’s meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

The Washington County Veterans Service Commission voted Thursday to find merit in a public complaint filed against Executive Director Darren Shearlock, advancing the matter to a formal review process that will be handled by the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Following an executive session, the commission voted 3-1 to determine that the complaint contained sufficient merit to move forward, with Commissioner Larry Proctor casting the lone dissenting vote.

Commissioners then unanimously approved a separate motion to refer the matter to the prosecutor to begin the next phase of the process.

“This is very preliminary, and it’s just the first step in a process,” said Prosecutor Nicole Coil, the commission’s acting legal counsel. “Due process for Executive Director Shearlock has been followed.”

Earlier in the meeting, Coil explained that the submissions before the commission were seeking Shearlock’s removal from his position, but emphasized that no immediate action could be taken without following required procedures. The complaints were not immediately available at press time.

“That’s why they can’t just go in there and make a determination,” Coil said. “They have to give him an opportunity to be heard.”

Coil said Shearlock holds classified employee status because of his role as a veterans service officer, which provides protections not afforded to at-will employees.

“He will get an opportunity to hear what the complaint is against him, and he’ll have an opportunity to be heard and defend himself and give his side of it,” she said. “And so then that may cause everything to go away, or it may not.”

Commissioners said multiple documents were submitted in support of the complaint, including amended and supplemental filings. One commissioner noted that four of the five documents received were considered to add merit to the complaint, while a separate letter addressed to commission leadership was not accepted into the record.

Rather than reading the documents aloud, commissioners voted to formally submit them into the public record. They said the documents will be available through a public records request.

During discussion, Commissioner Brad Webb acknowledged the impact the situation has had on the veterans community and the commission.

“We know that this is creating quite a disdain between our veteran community and our commission,” Webb said. “That’s not what we’re here for. We’re here to serve the veterans in this community.”

After finding merit in the complaint, the commission approved a motion to turn the matter over to the prosecutor for further action. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office which will handle the next legal steps. That process includes formally notifying Shearlock of the complaint and providing documentation so he can respond with legal counsel. The commission is expected to reconvene at a later date determined by the prosecutor to continue the review.

The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com