Fed’s Now Involved In Pay Dispute By Deputies

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Federal auditors are reviewing the time sheets of some South Texas deputies to determine if the documents were unfairly changed to deny overtime.

Nueces (nyoo-AY'-sis) County Sheriff Jim Kaelin (KAY'-lin) said Wednesday that his supervisors changed time sheets to accurately reflect the time worked.

U.S. Department of Labor auditors are checking why supervisors changed submitted time sheets without the signatures or approval of the deputies.

Kaelin says adjusting time cards has been a normal occurrence since his election nine years ago. He says some deputies would arrive early, clock in and get coffee or just prepare for the day. The sheriff says that's not authorized overtime, so supervisors would pencil in a time correction.

Kaelin now requires deputies to initial such adjustments.

Audit results will be presented to county commissioners.