An Open Letter to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office: A Call for Transparency and Accountability

To Sheriff Scott Adams, the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, and those seeking to lead it next:

As Sheriff Scott Adams prepares to step down after three terms in office, the future direction of the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office is now a matter of public consequence. His endorsed successor, Todd Creek, has publicly stated that Sheriff Adams “did a great job” and that he would not change anything if elected.

If that is the case, then the record of the past ten years must be examined in full—and answered for.

Cecil County News has reviewed source materials, internal accounts, and documented incident summaries that collectively raise serious and specific concerns about leadership decisions, internal discipline, and the handling of misconduct within the agency. These matters are not theoretical—they involve identifiable patterns of behavior, documented incidents, and decisions made at the highest levels of command.

We present the following not as conclusions, but as questions that demand clear, public answers:

1. Hostile Work Environment and Promotion Despite Findings

A current Lieutenant, identified in source material as Mike Zack, is reportedly the subject of an active hostile work environment investigation. This follows a prior completed investigation in which he was found responsible for creating a toxic and retaliatory workplace environment severe enough to contribute to the early retirement of a supervisor.

Rather than resulting in meaningful disciplinary action or removal from leadership, that finding was followed by promotion.

This raises a fundamental question of command philosophy:
What message does it send to rank-and-file deputies and civilian staff when substantiated misconduct—particularly conduct that drives out experienced personnel—is followed not by accountability, but advancement?

If this pattern is accurate, it suggests either a tolerance for such behavior or a failure of internal disciplinary mechanisms.

2. Political Maneuvering in the Selection of Leadership

Source accounts indicate that Todd Creek’s candidacy for Sheriff did not emerge organically, but rather after internal discussions and shifting political calculations. Specifically, it is alleged that he acknowledged being asked to run only after negative publicity affected the originally preferred candidate, Mike Zack.

Additionally, another potential candidate, Steve Brownhill, reportedly declined to run due to a projected pay decrease—while simultaneously being positioned to receive a pay increase under a Creek administration as second-in-command.

Taken together, these details suggest a coordinated internal effort to shape succession—not through open competition or public vetting, but through strategic positioning.

The public deserves to know:
Was the leadership transition process influenced by internal alliances and financial incentives rather than merit and transparency?

3. Deputies Arrested for Misconduct and Abuse of Authority

Two separate deputy cases outlined in the source material point to serious lapses in conduct:

• In one case, a deputy was arrested following a hostile work environment complaint involving sexual harassment. Despite the seriousness of the allegation, the deputy reportedly remained assigned to the same shift as the complainant for several days after the complaint surfaced. He was later charged with misconduct in office and served prison time related to coercive and threatening behavior tied to a personal relationship.
• In another case, a deputy had already raised concerns among local businesses, reportedly being informally banned from establishments such as Walmart and Wawa after female employees described his behavior as inappropriate and unsettling. He was later charged with misusing law enforcement databases to obtain personal information about women, including former partners and individuals he was pursuing.

These are not minor infractions—they involve abuse of authority, misuse of sensitive systems, and behavior that undermines public trust.

What safeguards were in place to detect and prevent this misconduct earlier?
And why were warning signs—such as informal bans from businesses—not escalated into formal review sooner?

4. Alleged Cover-Up of an Off-Duty Intoxicated Crash

One of the more serious allegations involves a deputy who reportedly crashed his personal vehicle while intoxicated in Harford County, fled the scene with assistance from family members, and was later identified by responding officers.

According to the source material, the incident was “quietly buried,” with no apparent public accountability. Even more concerning, the deputy was later assigned to Internal Affairs—the very division tasked with ensuring integrity and investigating misconduct within the agency.

If accurate, this sequence presents a profound conflict of interest.

How can the public trust Internal Affairs investigations if individuals with unresolved or concealed misconduct are placed in positions of oversight?

5. Intoxicated Patrol Crash and Lost Evidence

Another case involves a deputy who allegedly crashed a patrol vehicle while intoxicated and left the scene. When located, he was still intoxicated, yet instead of immediate testing, he was encouraged to seek medical treatment—delaying alcohol and drug testing.

Following the incident, his off-duty driving privileges were revoked but later reinstated. Subsequently, in-car camera footage reportedly captured him driving recklessly with his children in the vehicle—speeding, nearly leaving the roadway, and striking a sign multiple times.

That footage, once circulated internally, is now described as “difficult to locate.”

This raises serious evidentiary concerns:
Was critical video evidence lost, misplaced, or intentionally made inaccessible?

6. COVID Policy Disparities and Operational Integrity

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheriff Adams reportedly authorized broad work-from-home arrangements for much of the law enforcement bureau—excluding patrol deputies—while some civilian staff were paid despite lacking secure access to necessary systems.

There are also accounts of detectives publicly posting about engaging in personal activities, such as yardwork, during work hours.

When normal operations resumed, concerns raised by personnel were reportedly dismissed as being “in the past.”

This is not simply about fairness—it is about operational readiness, accountability, and whether taxpayer-funded time was used appropriately.

7. K9 Use-of-Force Incident and Command Override

A K9 handler reportedly allowed his dog to bite a suspect who was already complying with commands—a serious use-of-force concern. Command staff initially responded by removing the deputy from the unit and retiring the K9, citing a loss of trust in the handler’s judgment.

However, the following day, after a direct appeal to Sheriff Adams, that decision was reversed. The handler was reinstated, despite prior command objections, and the dog was later retrained for bite work under the supervision of a personal associate of the deputy.

This sequence raises concerns about whether disciplinary decisions are subject to consistent standards—or personal intervention.

A Direct Request for Transparency

In light of these documented concerns, Cecil County News formally requests that the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office provide clear, public answers to the following:

1. What disciplinary or corrective actions were taken in each of these cases?
2. Were any of these matters referred to independent or external investigative bodies?
3. What safeguards exist today to prevent similar incidents from occurring?
4. How does the agency ensure that Internal Affairs remains free of conflicts of interest?
5. On what basis should the public accept that “nothing needs to change”?

The citizens of Cecil County deserve more than assurances—they deserve transparency, accountability, and evidence that their law enforcement agency operates under consistent and enforceable standards.

If the current administration stands by its record, then it should have no hesitation in addressing these questions directly.

Cecil County News invites a formal response and will publish it in full.

Respectfully,
Cecil County News

The post An Open Letter to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office: A Call for Transparency and Accountability appeared first on Cecil County News.

As debate intensifies across Maryland regarding changes to 287(g) agreements, sheriff candidate Nick Jaskiewicz has publicly clarified his position on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

The 287(g) program, authorized under federal law, allows state and local law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to perform certain immigration enforcement functions. Recent policy shifts and differing interpretations of the program’s scope have generated controversy among local officials and advocacy groups statewide.

Jaskiewicz stated that he supports honoring ICE detainer requests when individuals have been arrested for criminal offenses. Aligning himself with Maryland sheriffs such as Mike Lewis and Jimmy DeWees, he emphasized that cooperation with federal authorities should be rooted in public safety, not broad immigration enforcement.

“We are not targeting individuals who have committed no crime,” Jaskiewicz said in a public statement. “However, when someone commits a crime, we gather all relevant information and cooperate with federal partners.”

The candidate underscored that his position is centered on criminal conduct rather than immigration status alone. He framed cooperation with ICE as part of standard interagency coordination, similar to how local departments work with federal agencies on narcotics, firearms, or fugitive investigations.

Critics of expanded 287(g) participation argue that such agreements can strain community trust, particularly within immigrant populations, and blur the line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement. Supporters counter that honoring detainers for individuals charged with crimes strengthens public safety and ensures that repeat offenders are not released without federal review.

Jaskiewicz also addressed concerns about potential friction between local and federal agencies, stating that he would not pursue policies that create “unnecessary division” with federal law enforcement partners. He characterized intergovernmental cooperation as essential to effective policing.

The issue is expected to remain a focal point in local law enforcement discussions as Maryland jurisdictions continue to evaluate their roles in federal immigration partnerships.

The post Jaskiewicz Voices Support for ICE Cooperation Amid Maryland 287(g) Controversy appeared first on Cecil County News.

We honor their sacrifice and commitment — and we thank them for everything they do.

Watch this great moment from the Back the Blue parade:

The post Cecil County News will always back the blue. appeared first on Cecil County News.

A voicemail left on May 19, 2023, at approximately 11:31 a.m. has prompted serious concerns after it allegedly captured a private conversation among several county law enforcement officials.
* Click on the image above to play audio

According to the recipient of the voicemail, who has asked to remain anonymous, due to possible and/or very likely retribution, the recording resulted from an apparent accidental call placed by Lt. Joseph Wilson that went to voicemail. The message allegedly contains a conversation involving Lt. Michael Zack, Sgt. Fran Wallace, Cpl. Jeremy Strohecker, and Lt. Wilson.

In the recording, the individuals (Mainly Mike Zack and Fran Wallace) are allegedly heard making explicit and degrading remarks about County Executive Danielle Hornberger, including statements that implied their intentions of sexual violence. The conversation reportedly turns to Wayne Tome, longtime Paramedic and firefighter in the county, and derogatory comments involving all firehouses and firefighters as well as Mr. Tome, who was at the time the county’s Director of Emergency Services. 

The existence of the voicemail has raised questions about professional conduct, workplace culture, and potential abuse of authority. No official statement has yet been released by the county, the CCSO, or the individuals named regarding the recording or its contents.

As of this report, it is unclear whether an internal and/or external investigation has been initiated.

The post Voicemail Raises Serious Allegations Involving County Officials appeared first on Cecil County News.

Up to this point, this series has shown how elections are often decided early, how money narrows the field, and how public institutions multiply power.

Now we look at results — where influence turns into land, money, and long-term taxpayer impact.

What Zoning Really Controls

Zoning determines what can be built, how dense development can be, and whether land can be residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use.

A zoning change can instantly increase land value, often without a single brick being laid.

How Zoning Can Be Leveraged

A common pattern involves purchasing land before a zoning change, requesting rezoning, holding public hearings during work hours, and securing approval with limited public participation.

The value increase comes from access and timing, not construction.

Example: Rezoning for Value Creation

A parcel zoned for limited use may be worth significantly more after rezoning allows higher density or commercial use.

Owners can sell at a premium, lease at higher rates, or leverage the new valuation for financing.

Enterprise Zones: Incentives With Unequal Access

Enterprise Zones offer tax credits, abatements, fee reductions, and infrastructure assistance.

In practice, these benefits often go to well-capitalized developers who can navigate the process.

Example: Incentives That Shift the Tax Burden

When a developer receives abatements and reduced fees, schools and services still require funding.

The cost is often shifted to residential taxpayers.

Why Political Office Matters

Zoning and Enterprise Zone approvals require votes, administrative support, and favorable interpretations of rules.

Political office provides early awareness, influence over process, and access to decision-makers.

This access alone can create opportunity without violating any law.

Who Gets a Seat at the Table

Developers, attorneys, engineers, and consultants regularly attend zoning hearings.

Ordinary residents often lack the time or resources to participate equally.

Why Patterns Matter

Individual projects can be justified, but repeated benefits to the same networks reveal patterns deserving scrutiny.

What Comes Next

Next: grants, contracts, and public-private partnerships — and how oversight quietly fades.

The post Cecil County Under the Microscope — Segment 5 appeared first on Cecil County News.

In the last segment, we looked at who can afford to compete in local elections — and why money and early access narrow the field long before most voters are paying attention.

But money alone doesn’t explain why power in Cecil County feels so stable, even when voters are frustrated or elections change hands.

To understand that, we have to look at institutions — and how they quietly multiply political power.

What We Mean by Institutions

Institutions are organizations that employ large numbers of people, depend on taxpayer funding or public decisions, and control careers, contracts, benefits, or licenses.

In Cecil County, this includes the public school system, the Sheriff’s Office, the court system, county administration, and large employers tied to zoning, development, or county contracts.

The Pressure Isn’t Loud — It’s Structural

Across multiple institutions, people describe the same unspoken rule: Do your job. Don’t make waves.

Employees understand that speaking out can stall careers, advancement depends on staying aligned, and questioning leadership can bring consequences.

Schools: Influence Without Campaign Signs

Cecil County Public Schools is one of the county’s largest employers.

Teachers and staff have described political messaging moving through informal channels, union communications reinforcing preferred outcomes, and leadership maintaining distance while expectations were clearly understood.

In at least one documented case, a resident was not allowed to speak publicly until legal counsel intervened — after which access was suddenly granted.

Sheriff’s Office: Chain of Command as Control

Deputies have described a culture where loyalty is expected, dissent quietly limits advancement, and speaking out can cost assignments, benefits, or careers.

Public court records show cases where charges were aggressively pursued and later dropped just before trial, after significant pressure was applied.

Courts and Administrative Power

Courts and county administration control timing, procedure, and access.

Delays and procedural barriers can exhaust challengers, raise legal costs, and discourage future complaints.

How Institutions Multiply Power

When institutions align, money determines who can run, primaries determine who wins, and institutions determine who feels safe speaking.

No conspiracy is required. The structure does the work.

Why This Matters to Taxpayers

Taxpayers fund these institutions and depend on them.

When transparency is discouraged, accountability weakens and the same power networks repeat.

What Voters Can Do

Change starts before Election Day by paying attention to primaries, funding sources, endorsements, and institutional behavior.

What Comes Next

Next: zoning decisions, enterprise zones, grants, and incentives — and who really benefits.

The post Segment 4 – When Public Institutions Multiply Power appeared first on Cecil County News.

In the last segment, we explained why primaries — not general elections — often decide outcomes in Cecil County.

That raises an obvious next question:

Who can afford to compete in those primaries in the first place?

The answer helps explain why the same names, interests, and outcomes keep repeating — regardless of party labels.

Running for office isn’t free — even locally. Competitive campaigns require early money, time away from work, and organization long before most voters are paying attention.

Early money matters more than total money. Candidates who raise funds early can build visibility, discourage challengers, and shape the race before it truly begins.

Public campaign finance records show that most funding does not come from everyday residents, but from business owners, developers, utilities, professional firms, and political committees.

One local example is the Cecil Business Leaders for Better Government (CBL) PAC, which publicly reports receiving money from business and development interests and spending it to support preferred candidates.

Party labels don’t tell the whole story. In a county dominated by one party in general elections, candidates often adapt affiliations to remain viable, and donors support people rather than party platforms.

For many residents, the barriers to running are real — financial risk, workplace pressure, and fear of retaliation keep good people from ever entering the race.

This is not necessarily about corruption. It’s about structure — and structure shapes outcomes.

Next up: how institutions multiply this advantage

The post Segment 3A Who Can Afford to Compete? appeared first on Cecil County News.

Why So Many Elections Feel Decided Before November

Many voters in Cecil County believe the most important election is the general election in November. In practice, that is often not the case. For years, the real contest for power has occurred much earlier — during primary elections.

Cecil County has a long-standing Republican registration advantage. As a result, candidates who win the Republican primary frequently go on to win the general election, regardless of turnout or opposition later in the year.

A Real Example: The 2024 Republican Primary

The May 14, 2024 Republican primary offers a clear example of how power is often decided before November.

In the County Executive race, Republican Adam Streight defeated incumbent Danielle Hornberger in the primary, securing the party’s nomination. Given Cecil County’s consistent Republican advantage in general elections, the outcome of this primary effectively determined the general election result months in advance.

In Council District 5, the Republican primary was also closely contested, with Dawn Branch winning by a narrow margin. That intra-party contest — not the general election — was where voters had the greatest opportunity to influence who would represent them.

These races illustrate how, in Cecil County, the most consequential electoral decisions often happen during the primary, when turnout is lower and fewer voters are paying attention.

Closed Primaries and the Illusion of Choice

Maryland operates under a closed primary system, meaning only voters registered with a political party may vote in that party’s primary.

In a county where one party holds a strong registration advantage, closed primaries concentrate decision-making power into a smaller group of voters months before the general election.

Why This Matters to You

When leadership is effectively chosen during primaries, many voters unknowingly miss the most important part of the process. This helps explain why people feel disconnected or frustrated after general elections — the outcome was often already decided.

What Comes Next

If primaries decide who governs, the next question is simple: who can afford to compete there? In the next segment, we’ll examine how early campaign funding shapes local races — and why grassroots candidates often find themselves behind before the first vote is cast.

Editor’s Note

This reporting is based on public election results and documented election structures. No allegation of criminal wrongdoing is made.

The post Segment #3 — Elections, Primaries, and Why the Real Fight Happens Early appeared first on Cecil County News.

Segment #2 – How Influence Worked in Cecil County Politics

Cecil County News – Investigative Desk

This article is part of the ongoing investigative series, “Cecil County Under the Microscope,” which examines governance, political influence, and institutional accountability in Cecil County.

From Structure to Action

In the first segment of this series, we examined the origins of Cecil Business Leaders (CBL), where its funding came from, how it gained access to decision-makers, and how it helped shape public support for centralized county governance.

This segment focuses on how influence worked in practice, based on observable patterns in public records, elections, and governance structures—not on allegations of criminal wrongdoing.

Shared Messaging and Countywide Reach

Across multiple election cycles, similar themes appeared repeatedly in campaign materials, public statements, and policy arguments aligned with CBL priorities.

These messages emphasized efficiency, economic growth, and running county government like a business.

Because these themes were carried through business marketing, public-facing communications, and political messaging, they reached voters across every district, not just during election season but continuously.

Why This Matters to You

Repeated messages influence how people think about what is possible and what is normal. When the same ideas appear over and over—from ads, meetings, and official statements—they can start to feel like common sense rather than persuasion. For taxpayers, this can shape support for policies long before votes are cast, often without clear discussion of who benefits most.

At-Large Voting and the Dilution of District Representation

Although Cecil County is divided into districts for representation, council members are elected at-large.

This means voters across the entire county cast ballots for all district seats, rather than districts selecting their own representatives.

In practice, at-large voting dilutes district-specific preferences and amplifies the impact of countywide influence.

Why This Matters to You

If you live in a specific district, at-large voting means your community does not truly choose its own representative. Even when most people in your area oppose a decision, countywide voting can override that local preference. Over time, this can make voters feel disconnected and unheard, even though the system—not apathy—is driving the outcome.

Business Influence and Public Resources

Businesses operate in every district and maintain daily contact with residents through marketing, services, and employment.

When businesses aligned with or influenced by CBL receive public benefits such as grants, favorable zoning decisions, or enterprise-zone designations, those advantages extend beyond economics.

These benefits can translate into sustained visibility and influence over public opinion, often supported by taxpayer-funded programs.

Why This Matters to You

Public grants, tax incentives, and zoning decisions are funded by taxpayers. When the same businesses benefiting from these policies also have the loudest voice in public messaging, ordinary residents can be crowded out of the conversation. This can affect how tax dollars are spent and who has consistent access to decision-makers.

What This Means for Taxpayers and Voters

Understanding how influence works helps explain why the same outcomes repeat over time.

These systems do not rely on any single election, candidate, or decision. They persist because they are structural.

Why This Matters to You

As a voter, understanding these dynamics gives you more power, not less. In a county where primary elections often decide outcomes, participation in primaries matters. Paying attention to how public money is used, who benefits from policies, and how decisions are made can help break cycles that feel inevitable. Change starts with understanding how the system actually works.

Editor’s Note

This reporting is based on public records, governance structures, and documented political activity. No allegation of criminal wrongdoing is made.

The post Segment #2 – How Influence Worked in Cecil County Politics appeared first on Cecil County News.

Cecil County News – Investigative Desk

This article is part of the ongoing investigative series, “Cecil County Under the Microscope,” which examines governance, political influence, and institutional accountability in Cecil County.

I. Why Cecil Business Leaders Matters

Before examining allegations of misconduct or ethical failure, it is necessary to understand how political influence was structured in Cecil County.

Cecil Business Leaders (CBL) emerged not merely as a civic association, but as an organized political force whose access, messaging, and resources positioned it to shape outcomes long before controversies arose.

II. Formation and Public Mission

CBL formed during a period of economic transition in Cecil County, publicly presenting itself as a pro-growth, pro-business organization.

Its stated mission emphasized efficiency, competitiveness, and modernization of county governance.

Public records and archived materials show that CBL sought legitimacy by framing its activities as civic engagement rather than partisan coordination.

III. Organizational Structure and Political Reality

While CBL was not itself an elected body, its leadership and supporters frequently overlapped with candidates, donors, and appointed officials.

This overlap created informal but persistent channels of influence that extended beyond traditional advocacy.

Such structures are not inherently unlawful, but they warrant scrutiny when transparency and accountability mechanisms are weak.

IV. Funding Streams and Financial Influence

CBL benefited from concentrated financial support drawn from aligned business interests.

Campaign finance disclosures and public filings indicate that this funding enabled sustained political engagement across multiple election cycles.

The significance of this funding lies not in illegality, but in the scale and consistency of access it facilitated.

IV-B. Charter Government and the Case for Concentrated Power

One of the most consequential structural changes in Cecil County governance was the adoption of charter government.

Charter government was publicly framed as a means of increasing efficiency, professionalism, and accountability by consolidating executive authority.

CBL played a visible role in fostering public support for this transition, advocating for centralized governance as a pro-business reform aligned with economic growth.

This advocacy helped shape the narrative presented to voters, emphasizing modernization while downplaying the risks inherent in concentrated power.

Centralized authority simplifies access for organized interests, reduces the number of decision-makers, and increases the impact of sustained political engagement.

Many residents supported charter government in good faith, believing it would improve governance. However, the long-term effect of such structural concentration is to magnify influence when safeguards fail.

V. Access to Power and Institutional Familiarity

CBL-aligned individuals consistently demonstrated access to county leadership, boards, and commissions.

This access was not limited to election cycles, but persisted through appointments and policy discussions.

The resulting institutional familiarity created an environment where certain voices were repeatedly heard, while others struggled to gain entry.

VI. Early Warning Signs

Even during CBL’s rise, some community members raised concerns about transparency and disproportionate influence.

These warnings did not allege criminal behavior, but questioned whether democratic balance was being eroded.

Such concerns were often dismissed at the time as resistance to change.

VII. Why This Foundation Matters

Understanding CBL’s origins, funding, and access is essential to evaluating later controversies examined in this series.

Power structures precede outcomes. Without examining how influence was built, later events cannot be fairly assessed.

The next segment will examine how this influence translated into coordinated political operations.

Editor’s Note

This reporting relies on public records, archived materials, and documented patterns of conduct.

No finding of criminal wrongdoing is asserted. Individuals and organizations referenced are invited to respond, and clarifications will be published.

The post Segment #1 — The Rise of Cecil Business Leaders (CBL): Origins, Funding, and Access appeared first on Cecil County News.