EDGEWOOD, N.M. – A lawyer for Edgewood’s retired police chief disputes Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen’s claims about one of the agency’s controversial hires: Deputy James Walker.

Attorney Tom Grover responded after Allen defended Walker, a former Edgewood officer now with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, at a press conference earlier this week.

“I believe in Deputy Walker’s character,” Sheriff Allen said. “I see a lot of holes and problems with that internal affairs investigation and the retaliation that came from the Edgewood PD.”

An attorney pushes back

Grover said retired Edgewood Police Chief Roger Jimenez took proper action and pushed back on Allen’s account.

Grover said in a letter that Walker admitted to having an affair with a 19 year old and to taking marijuana from a traffic stop for personal use during the misconduct investigation.

“This person resigned during the pendency of that investigation. And before the investigation was completed, Sheriff Allen hired him in mid-July. I’ve never heard of a department hiring somebody under a landscape like that.” Grover said.

Allen said Edgewood police opened the investigation after learning Walker applied for a job with BCSO. Allen also said the previous administration made Walker an acting sergeant until months earlier while knowing he was in the process.

Grover disputed that and said Walker was never promoted. He told KOB 4 Edgewood leaders did not know Walker was taking a BCSO job until Walker said so when he resigned.

Grover also criticized Allen’s public defense of Walker and said the sheriff should take responsibility for the hiring decision.

“He’s getting caught with a controversial decision. He’s not taking ownership of it. He was pointing fingers at everyone else,” Grover said.

What BCSO is saying

Allen’s office said the sheriff stands by his remarks and Walker, and that Walker remains in good standing. Allen’s office told KOB 4 that for BCSO the matter is closed.