Deschutes County sheriff announces resignation amid scandal, recall effort

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After months of scandal, an Oregon sheriff is on his way out.

Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp will resign at the end of July, less than seven months after taking office, according to KOIN 6 media partner Central Oregon Daily.

The resignation announcement came the same day as a group announced a recall effort. The group told Central Oregon Daily the recall effort is still on despite the resignation announcement.

“There have been various times on the record the sitting sheriff has shared different dates of when he would retire and or resign. And, with that, he’s been proven to be dishonest. And we want to make sure that this is something that is secured,” public safety advocate Jenny Lingard told COD.

Van der Kamp came under fire in April after he was accused of lying under oath and placed on the Brady List, which prevents him from testifying in future cases.

Earlier this month, the union representing sheriff’s office employees called for his resignation and also asked him to pay back funds provided for his legal defense during the last election.