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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Sheriff's lieutenant may face misconduct charges over ticket dismissals Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM Updated Feb 13, 2015 at 3:03 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM Updated Feb 13, 2015 at 3:03 PM » RELATED CONTENT • State will investigate ticket dismissals » Social News A Jackson County Sheriff's Department lieutenant may face criminal charges amid allegations that he improperly dismissed some department-issued traffic tickets in a practice new Jackson County Sheriff Corey Falls said likely went on for years under his predecessor. Lt. Marty Clark was investigated for possible official misconduct charges by the Oregon State Police after an internal investigation showed "a few" tickets Clark dismissed may qualify as misusing his position of authority, Falls said. Falls declined to reveal the reasons for the dismissals or identify the number of tickets as part of the criminal probe. "This all happened within the past three years, but this has probably gone on longer than that," Falls said this afternoon. "I'm looking to improve policies, procedures and practices so we can do a better job in the future," he said. Clark was placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 20, Falls said. The OSP case was forwarded today to Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert for review, Falls said. Falls was sworn in as sheriff Jan. 5, replacing former three-term Sheriff Mike Winters, whom Falls beat in November's general election. During Falls' first week in office, two deputies approached him to report what they believed were inappropriately dismissed traffic tickets in the past by Clark, Falls said. Falls said he advised Heckert of the allegations and Heckert said that, if they were true, they possibly could violate Oregon's official misconduct statute. Falls then contacted OSP to handle the investigation. First-degree official misconduct is defined as occurring when a public servant fails to perform his or her duty, or if the public servant knowingly performs an unauthorized exercise in official duties, according to state statute. It is a Class A misdemeanor. Winters did not immediately return a telephone call this afternoon seeking comment. Falls also looked into deputies' allegations that a complaint to operations Capt. Terry Larson about the alleged ticket-dismissing improprieties was not acted upon, he said. Larson was placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 20, and an outside investigator was called in for an internal, non-criminal investigation, Falls said. That investigation did not substantiate the allegations, and Larson returned to work today, Falls said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM Updated Feb 13, 2015 at 3:03 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501