County Public Defender Placed On Leave

Friday, February 15, 2013 - 5:08 AM

Hancock County's Chief Public Defender has been suspended with pay. The Courier reports Michael Galose was put on leave following a meeting in late January. While no one is commenting on what led to the suspension, Public Defender Commission Chairman Roger Miller says they are looking at the situation from "top to bottom." Galose was named the chief public defender in the county in 2000.

A personnel file obtained by the Courier show no recent disciplinary actions involving Galose. However documents show three female staff members complained about Galose's language and behavior in 2004 and 2005. Galose completed sexual harassment and management training in 2010. He was also involved in a "drunken incident" at a downtown restaurant in 2009.

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