Calhoun County sheriff accused of misconduct

HARDIN — The sheriff of western Illinois’ Calhoun County is accused of felony official misconduct and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

The (Alton) Telegraph (http://bit.ly/nI4khY) reports that few details are being released about the Sept. 29 indictment by a county grand jury against Bill Heffington.

The newspaper says the charges allegedly relate to Heffington’s conduct during a county board meeting in July.

Heffington’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum of St. Louis, says he believes the sheriff was indicted for voicing an opinion. He says he doesn’t believe the law enforcer did anything wrong. Rosenblum says personalities and politics are at play.

The county’s state’s attorney has turned the case over to an appellate prosecutor.

A message was left Thursday with Heffington at his office.