Ex-Deputy’s Offenses Detailed Sheriff Alleges Debartolo Had Sex On The Job; Obstructed Investigation

Former sheriff’s deputy Tom DiBartolo had sex on the job, used his uniform and badge to pick up women and took girlfriends for unauthorized drives in patrol cars.

Those are some of the allegations Spokane County Sheriff John Goldman cited when he fired DiBartolo earlier this month, according to civil service records made public recently.

Goldman terminated the 18-year Sheriff’s Department veteran on April 18.

DiBartolo, 42, is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his wife of 19 years, Patty. She was shot in the head last November in Spokane’s Lincoln Park.

Detectives say DiBartolo killed his wife with her own gun, then wounded himself with the revolver in an attempt to cover up the crime.

DiBartolo has maintained his innocence, claiming robbers attacked his 39-year-old wife and him. He is out on bail pending his trial.

Goldman suspended DiBartolo without pay and launched an internal investigation into the deputy’s conduct soon after his January arrest.

On April 3, the sheriff provided DiBartolo with a list of allegations against him.

Among them, that DiBartolo:

“Verbally harassed and made inappropriate sexual advances towards a co-worker’s wife, while on duty and in uniform.”

Returned to the scene of Patty DiBartolo’s death after being ordered not to.

Had sex with a woman at the ART Bingo hall while in uniform, but off duty.

Engaged in an affair with a Spokane woman from 1982 to 1985. Some of the sexual liaisons took place while he was on duty and in uniform.

Obstructed an investigation being conducted by the Spokane Fire Department into some missing equipment.

Goldman wrote that the evidence “leads me to believe that you have been deceitful, untruthful, incompetent, dishonest, demonstrated disgraceful and immoral conduct, and have caused injury to public service.”

The sheriff gave DiBartolo four days to respond to the charges before he was fired. On the advice of his lawyer, Maryann Moreno, he declined.

Moreno said Monday her client had “plenty of things to say” about the allegations, but was concentrating on defending himself against the murder charge. DiBartolo was not given a hearing. He may still appeal the decision.

, DataTimes