Supes order employees take lie detector test

Employees with the Madison County Justice Court are being subjected to lie detector tests as the county investigates $3,000 in missing funds.

The Board of Supervisors on Monday discussed the issue in executive session where they voted to suspend Justice Court Clerk Cheryl Horn with pay pending the investigation. The supervisors also voted unanimously to require all employees to take a polygraph test. 

Board President Gerald Steen initially made a motion to suspend Dominique Walden, Zach Buckner and Horn with pay pending an investigation, but the motion died for lack of a second. It was after that failed motion that supervisors voted unanimously to suspend Horn and move forward with the polygraph tests. 

Personnel matters are typically discussed in executive session and motions that die for lack of a second aren’t typically released. However, Steen made a motion to acknowledge the failed motion, which was unanimously approved, and thus required to be put on the minutes. 

Board Attorney Mike Espy later interjected, saying the minutes should simply read there was a vote to acknowledge a failed motion and the individuals listed in the motion did not need to be included in the minutes. 

Some employees already underwent polygraph tests prior to Monday’s meeting, officials said. 

County Administrator Greg Higginbotham was unavailable for comment.