Attorney General Ruling Is In Order

By most accounts, Rocky Watson has done a good job in his second stint as Kootenai County sheriff. But the popular Republican has provided challengers with an unusual issue - no matter what the all-Republican county commission or the Democratic prosecutor say.

Not only does Watson serve as sheriff, he also provides the county with courthouse security through his private company, the Watson Agency. About $13,000 to $17,000 worth per month. There appears to be a conflict of interest here. And Ted Pulver, independent candidate for sheriff, is right in asking for an attorney general’s opinion to decide if the arrangement is copacetic.

Since the attorney general doesn’t respond to requests from individual Idahoans, Prosecutor Bill Douglas should seek that opinion - for Pulver’s sake. And Watson’s.

Currently, Watson is trying to sell his business, which brings in $3 million annually and operates in five western states and Canada. He and his wife Mary both say they want to try something different. But there would be no pressure to sell the business if the attorney general were to agree there is no conflict of interest.

Frankly, the current contract works well for both sides. The Watson Agency earns about 5 percent of its annual revenue from Kootenai County. And the county saves money because it doesn’t have to pay benefits for security guards who otherwise would be county employees.

Last week, Douglas and county commissioners decreed there is no conflict. Commissioner Dick Compton dismissed Pulver’s complaint as simply a matter of politics. Commissioner Ron Rankin said Pulver is clutching at straws. They’d be right if Watson was simply completing Sheriff Pierce Clegg’s term and wasn’t seeking election. Then, Watson would be free next January to continue running his business as he sees fit. However, the potential for abuse exists if this arrangement continues indefinitely.

Pulver made a good point when he said the commissioners might have their own conflict in judging this matter. They’re all Republicans, like Watson. They appointed him. And they awarded the security contract. Although a Democrat, Douglas also may have a conflict. The commissioners set the budget for his office. And his office works closely with the sheriff’s department.

Like his predecessor, Clegg, Watson is a self-made businessman who doesn’t need the sheriff’s job to earn a living. Nor does his business need the county contract to remain successful. The county contract is only one of 55 Watson Agency accounts. Still, there’s a perceived conflict of interest here. If Watson doesn’t sell the agency, the attorney general’s office should address this matter.