CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Mecklenburg County sheriff fired Ivan McLaughlin, and now he is suing the sheriff. But despite all that turmoil, Gov. Pat McCrory appointed McLaughlin to the North Carolina Crime Commission.
McLaughlin worked for Sheriff Chipp Bailey until Bailey fired him in January 2012.
McLaughlin and at least two other former employees sued Bailey, saying they were let go because they refused to contribute to his re-election campaign. Bailey has consistently denied that was the reason.
Even though McLaughlin lost his job and is in the middle of a lawsuit with the sheriff, McCrory decided to appoint him to the crime commission. The commission guides the governor on criminal justice policy. It has 44 members.
McLaughlin is proud of his appointment. He feels this shows he's a quality employee and it helps his case against Bailey. He preferred not to be interviewed about this until his lawsuit is resolved.
WSOC asked Bailey's office what he thinks about McLaughlin landing this honor. WSOC got an email back, stating it's a "political appointment."
WSOC also reached out to McCrory's office to see if he knew McLaughlin's history and whether that would have made him think twice about appointing him to the commission. His spokesperson emailed "...if/or as soon as I have something for you, we'll be in touch."
McLaughlin's currently a day treatment counselor with Support, Inc., in Gaston County.
WSOC
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