Ross County Sheriff denies using racial slur

CHILLICOTHE — Ross County Sheriff George Lavender said an audio clip posted to the Scioto Valley Guardian that alleges he used a racial slur is not him and he is opening an investigation into it.

Lavender, who sat down with the Chillicothe Gazette and other media on Tuesday, said the recording was a blatant lie and that the supposed conversation never happened. He calls the post "disturbing" and "uncalled for" as it incites hate in the community, something he is strongly against.

He said the audio has already resulted in threats against him.

The audio was posted to the Scioto Valley Guardian on June 17. The site claims that in the audio, Lavender is heard using a "racial epithet" and discussing personal allegations against him. The audio is said to come from a "confidential source," according to the article on the site that accompanied the clip.

"That is not me in the video," said Lavender. "I don't talk like that."

As a father to a biracial child, he said he knows how difficult it can be for some children of different backgrounds to feel accepted which is one reason he would never talk that way about any children in the community. He said as a sheriff he never looks at anyone differently because of their race, instead he serves all citizens equally.

"I just want the best for every child," said Lavender. "Every child, every person that's in this jurisdiction I want to treat them all the same."

Adrienne D'Souza, President of the Ross County NAACP, spoke on the subject saying the national NAACP stands against the use of the word used calling it dehumanizing and degrading.

"In this day and time there is no use for that word," said D'Souza.

Personally, she said Lavender has a good relationship with the local NAACP and she hopes the recording is fake.

"I hope it's not true," said D'Souza. "I hope it's not him."

Lavender and D'Souza say hate has no place in Ross County.

Those who work with him like Chief Deputy Sheriff  T.J. Hollis and Major Michael Preston, said the audio doesn't even sound like Lavender talking. Lavender notes that he often uses filler words like "you know" when speaking so much so that when speaking in public he has to be reminded not to use the filler statements. He said this style of speech is not the same as the one in the clip.

An investigation will take place into this incident, according to Lavender. He said he hopes whoever created it is found and if they are he will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law for what they have done. He said false narratives like this not only put him and his family in danger, as they have already received threats but also the officers in the field dealing with the citizens of the community every day.

To prove his innocence Lavender has said repeatedly that if needed he will take a polygraph test to prove that he is not the one speaking in the video.

"I can honestly tell you it was not me and I would not do that," said Lavender.

Lavender is seeking re-election in the fall, facing challenger, former deputy Isaac Oberer who is running as an Independent.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County Sheriff denies using racial slur