BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) -- The Benton County sheriff announced Friday (Nov. 6) he will continue his re-election campaign despite the Arkansas State Police investigation.
Sheriff Kelley Cradduck had two representatives make the announcement for him at the media conference.
Cradduck's campaign manager Bill Adams said "[Cradduck is] at work, doing what he was elected to do."
Cradduck's attorney, Andrew Miller, said the investigation into his client should not impact his candidacy for re-election.
“An allegation, is merely an allegation," Miller said. "We will state right now that Kelley is innocent of any criminal wrongdoing."
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with 5NEWS, Cradduck said he felt the investigation was conveniently timed for campaign season.
"It is dirty politics," Cradduck said. "I will just let the chips fall where they may with that. I am a law man. I have cooperated with everything. I have nothing to hide."
Cradduck is currently under investigation by Arkansas State Police after sheriff's office employees reported he had instructed them to backdate a new hire's start date so he would be paid for two weeks of work he didn't do, according to a search and seizure warrant served at the sheriff's office Thursday.
Last week, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith confirmed ASP was investigating the sheriff. A special prosecutor was appointed Monday to handle the investigation. Smith requested a special prosecutor after two Benton County Sheriff’s Office employees filed grievances accusing the sheriff of demoting them because they reported him to ASP and cooperated with the agency’s investigation into what they deemed to be “illegal and unethical actions” made by Cradduck.
Cradduck's campaign dismissed any chances of Cradduck resigning from office.
“There were questions whether or not he should resign. Without a doubt, he is not going to resign," Adams said. "He has done a great job as sheriff. And he will continue to do a great job as sheriff."
Cradduck made his re-election bid for a third term official Thursday.
Adams announced Friday Cradduck would be holding a series of public speaking events in the future.