Iron County Sheriff ends administrative leave, returns to find doors locked

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) — Iron County Sheriff David W. "Dude" Benson ended his self-imposed administrative leave and returned to find that his keys no longer would open the door to his office.

Benson put himself on leave 48 days ago pending the investigation of missing funds from the sheriff's office.

Although the investigation is still under way, Benson said he returned to work Monday in response to "the overwhelming support of the citizens in this community."

Detective Mark Gower, who served as interim sheriff while Benson was on leave, could not be reached for comment on why the locks had been changed.

Benson may come and go as he pleases, said County Commissioner Gene Roundy.

"We don't have the power or prerogative to put him on administrative leave," he said. If charges are filed, a decision would be left up to the state, he said.

Roundy said the a special meeting was called for Tuesday to discuss the matter.

Paul Murphy, a spokesman for the Utah attorney general, said he would not comment on the case while it was still under investigation.

Investigation of $2,900 missing from the sheriff's office has been under way for more than three months.

Benson placed himself on administrative leave two weeks after sheriff's Lt. W. Chuck Mitchell, the second-ranking officer at the sheriff's office, agreed to go on administrative leave while the investigation was under way.

Benson has said he brought bookkeeping problems to the attention of the County Commission three years ago.

He said he didn't believe anything illegal had been done in his office, though he said there have been mistakes made by the sheriff's office and other county offices.