The second in command at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections has resigned amid an internal investigation into complaints against him, including an allegation of sexual harassment, city officials said.
Deputy Director Kevin Sidebottom submitted a letter of resignation today, but did not give a reason, said Metro Corrections spokeswoman Pam Windsor.
Sidebottom's resignation came one day after jail director Tom Campbell announced his plan to retire at the end of this month, but Campbell said the departures were unrelated.
"I regret that some people insinuate that it has anything to do with that," he said.
Sidebottom's resignation comes amid an investigation into six complaints against him. Windsor said those include a sexual harassment allegation made by a female employee.
"There have been some employee complaints to the compliance department of the metro government human resources department," she said.
She and Campbell said they did not know the nature of the five other complaints.
Sidebottom's resignation is effective Sept. 14, and he will continue working until then, said Kerri Richardson, a spokeswoman for Mayor Jerry Abramson. At that point, the internal investigation would be closed, she said.
A message left tonight at a number listed for Sidebottom in Louisville was not immediately returned.Officials said Sidebottom was appointed by the previous jail director and has served as deputy director for about four years.
On Thursday, Campbell announced he planned to retire at the end of the month to spend time with family and pursue other activities after more than three years on the job.
Campbell was leading the search for his own replacement. No decision had been made about replacing Sidebottom, officials said.
Richardson acknowledged the city faces a challenge in filling the two top slots at Metro Corrections at the same time, but said she was confident that replacements would be found within weeks.
"It's an uncomfortable position to be in to replace two people," she said. "But we'll be all right."