Lincoln County Faces Scrutiny Over Outside Investigations and Workplace Climate

Lincoln County’s reliance on an outside private investigation firm has prompted renewed scrutiny over taxpayer spending and the administration's handling of internal personnel disputes.

At the center of the inquiry is the county’s retention of Ferraris Investigations & Consulting LLC to review county staff. One ongoing case involves a legal assistant in the District Attorney’s office, who has been on paid administrative leave since Oct. 12, 2025, with a hearing scheduled for July.

Financial records from late 2025 and early 2026 reveal multiple disbursements from the county’s general fund to Ferraris, including payments of $20,757, $4,264, and $2,047. The initial invoice appears to have been signed solely by Commissioner Walter Chuck. (see images below). Commissioner Casey Miller stated he was unaware of this action, noting that county staff previously informed him standard procedure requires the signatures of two commissioners to authorize such payments.

The county's continued use of the Redmond-based firm follows recent public scrutiny in another jurisdiction. In June 2025, the Portland Police Bureau terminated a $150,000 consulting contract with Ferraris after media inquiries revealed the firm billed the city for first-class flights and luxury vehicle rentals, according to the Portland Mercury.

Beyond financial protocols, the operational methods of these investigations have raised alarms among staff. Interviews with several county employees, who spoke to Lincoln County News Source on the condition of anonymity due to fear of workplace retaliation, detail an administrative process that has severely impacted the workplace environment.

Based on these discussions, employees outlined several core concerns:

Investigation Tactics and Due Process

• The County's HR Director frequently reschedules investigative interviews, leaving employees in prolonged states of uncertainty.

• Employees interrogated about alleged misconduct are subsequently denied access to the investigative records or their own signed documents.

• Investigators allegedly ignore the defensive witnesses provided by accused employees.

• Employees named as witnesses often become targets of separate investigations themselves, rather than being interviewed for the original case.

Coercion, Terminations, and Targeting

• According to a high-ranking county official, the administration targets specific employees for investigation if they assert workplace rights, hold conservative or religious viewpoints, or express political support for Commissioner Miller.

• The county pressures employees to resign or retire in exchange for severance packages, with county counsel occasionally drafting the retirement letters.

• Receiving severance is contingent upon signing Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs); refusal results in termination.

• Several employees were forced to resign for severance and threatened if they spoke out.

• At least three employees are on paid administrative leave, including one for over six months.

Workplace Environment and Mental Health

• The ongoing investigations have created a culture of extreme fear, with employees terrified of being harassed or implicating coworkers.

• The hostile environment has caused severe mental health issues, forcing multiple employees across several departments—to go onto stress-related medical leave. 

• One employee expressed deep concern for a colleague's mental health, fearing the individual might contemplate suicide due to workplace stress.

• Several county department heads have expressed concerns that they will be investigated or laid off, with one anticipating an imminent departure.

These internal accounts align with broader concerns raised by Commissioner Miller regarding institutional oversight and the necessity of outside consultants when the county employs full-time legal and human resources staff. Moving forward, Lincoln County leadership faces the challenge of formalizing procurement rules, clarifying payment authorizations, and establishing clear operational guidelines to ensure both fiscal responsibility and fair labor practices.

We sought comment from Commissioner Walter Chuck about his signature on the check authorization for Ferraris, but have not yet received a response.

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