BRAINERD — Chief Deputy Andy Galles is resigning his position with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office.
Galles’ resignation was announced Thursday, May 26, by Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle. Galles, who previously served as a captain with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, was appointed chief deputy in July of 2021.
Galles, the sheriff’s office’s second in command, was the subject of an external investigation by Twin Cities-based Red Cedar Consulting. While county officials declined to provide details of the investigation, Brainerd attorney Ed Shaw issued a news release March 22 accusing the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office of failing to properly investigate allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of authority by a sheriff’s office employee.
Houle said the investigation is now considered completed and no action will be taken. Galles’ last official day with the county will be July 1. He has been on paid administrative leave since early May. Houle said there was no separation agreement between Galles and the county.
Included with Shaw’s news release was a copy of a complaint the attorney sent to Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard, which listed alleged impropriety including solicitation of sexual relationships with two subordinates.
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About a dozen people demonstrated March 24 in front of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office in Brainerd, calling for Goddard and Galles — the department’s two top-ranking officials — to resign following the accusations.
A message left for Goddard Thursday afternoon was not returned.
In emailed statements Thursday, two Crow Wing County commissioners offered their thoughts.
“We take these kinds of issues very seriously. I cannot talk about the investigation but I will say that I think this was the right decision,” Commissioner Rosemary Franzen said.
“I have followed this issue closely since it was initially raised. I’m glad we can now move on from this. This was the right outcome,” Commissioner Steve Barrows said.
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