District Attorney Neal Pinkston said he has placed his wife and her brother on administrative leave.
That came after the state comptroller ruled that he violated the state law on nepotism.
"In response to the comptroller’s investigative report issued today, two employees within the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office will be placed on leave effective immediately. I am reviewing the recommendations of the comptroller’s office and may have additional comments at a later date," District Attorney Pinkston said.
Melydia Clewell, former TV personality, was on his staff, then they married. She is his chief of staff.
Coty Wamp, who is running for District Attorney, said, “The District Attorney has proven time and time again that he either doesn’t know the law or simply doesn’t care about it. Hiring family members to work directly underneath you is not only a violation of state law, which one would assume is of the utmost importance to an elected District Attorney, it is also a violation of public trust.
"When elected, I will use the salary of the DA’s wife and brother-in-law to create new prosecutorial positions. A prosecutor dedicated to gang and violent crime and a prosecutor dedicated to child sex abuse cases are two of my first priorities when I get in office.
"This behavior is the epitome of why the public has lost faith and trust in government. The findings from the Comptroller are disappointing, but not surprising.”
Click here to read the state comptroller's report.