CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ross County Sheriff George Lavender is coming under fire to allegedly using a racial epithet.
Lavender is currently running for reelection and has been embroiled in controversy. A surreptitiously recorded audio clip allegedly captured him using a racial slur to define African American children on two occasions. The recording, submitted to The Guardian and authenticated by a forensic cell phone and audio expert, is a bombshell for the county’s top law enforcement officer.
The audio reveals Lavender discussing personal allegations and making disparaging comments about a biracial child of his Independent Challenger, Isaac Oberer. In the recording, Lavender is heard saying: “Everyone wants to talk behind my back about how they claim I had sex with a female jailer years ago and that she gave birth to my (unintelligible). That is true, but why aren’t the community as a whole talking about how Isaac has a biracial child? If it were me, I would rather have a child out of marriage than one who is a nigger. It’s stuff like this that keeps me awake at night. And I just don’t know how the people are not able to see the difference. A child out of marriage is a lot better in the eyes of the conservatives in Ross County than a nigger child. I have been sheriff of this county, well, for a very long time and I have done my best, so we cannot afford to lose this hearing.”
The audio was provided to the news by a confidential source who is close to the Sheriff, who said the audio was only a portion of a conversation that was had in a car ride recently.
“The hearing” Lavender is referring to is an apparent reference to his efforts to have his former deputy and November challenger, Isaac Oberer removed from the ballot; the county Board of Elections will determine Oberer’s fate on Monday afternoon. The candidacy protest is being spearheaded by close allies to the Sheriff, who was seen meeting with political allies inside the Sheriff’s office to plan the assault.
The Guardian worked with a forensic cellphone examiner to study the recording and check its authenticity.
“Using well respected tools in the private investigation industry, as an audio and cell phone forensic expert, the software tells us that this audio is more than likely authenticated and real, and has a 2% chance of being fabricated,” said Dave Smith, a central Ohio digital forensic expert.
Lavender is rumored to have had a child out of wedlock with a female deputy who worked in the jail several years ago while he, himself was a deputy. The claim cannot be independently verified by The Guardian, however, Lavender’s apparent voice on the audio recording touches on the subject.
The Ross County Sheriff’s Office, which employs nearly 100 individuals, only has two employees who identify as African American.
“This type of language from a law enforcement leader is not only unacceptable but deeply harmful to the fabric of our community,” said The Ohio Civil Rights Coalition Movement in a statement. “Sheriff Lavender’s words reveal a shocking level of racism and a blatant disregard for the dignity of African Americans. He must be held accountable, and we call for his immediate resignation and a thorough investigation into the systemic issues within his department.”
Lavender did not return a message seeking comment for this story. He faces an uphill battle as he seeks reelection amid the fallout as he is challenged by Oberer in the November election.