Waltz

Previously:

• Del Norte Sheriff Charged With Election Fraud, Perjury; DA Alleges Randy Waltz Submitted a False Address On His Voter Registration Papers

• Supervisors Vote 4-1 to Appoint Randall Waltz as Del Norte Sheriff; Starkey Questions Accelerated Process

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Del Norte County supervisors will not ignore the fraud charges levied against the man they chose to be sheriff in September.

However, County Administrative Officer Neal Lopez said Thursday that he couldn’t provide further detail except to say that the Board has given direction to staff.

“It’s a personnel matter that’s in the process, and we don’t discuss personnel matters unless a final decision is made,” Lopez told the Wild Rivers Outpost. “There will be consequences — it’s not going to be ignored. All of us recognize that what’s taken place is not OK and we’re not happy about it.”

Randy Waltz faces felony charges of perjury as well as filing false voter registration and false nomination papers in connection with his efforts to be elected Del Norte County sheriff in June. According to Del Norte County District Attorney Katherine Micks, Waltz knowingly committed perjury, voter and election fraud when he listed a false Smith River address on his California Voter Registration Form.

Waltz allegedly submitted nomination papers or declared his candidacy for sheriff on Feb. 14, “falsely stating he met the residency requirements,” according to Micks’ complaint, filed in Del Norte County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Waltz is scheduled to be arraigned on March 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Waltz came to Del Norte County as its undersheriff in 2020 and became acting sheriff on Sept. 4, 2021 when Apperson left.

On Sept. 28, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of appointing Waltz to the sheriff position. District 2 Supervisor Valerie Starkey dissented, saying she felt uncomfortable making a decision that’s “normally made by 27,000 people.”

On Thursday, Lopez said any action the county takes in response to the charges filed against Waltz will be separate from the criminal process. He said the Board of Supervisors is meeting with county staff and county counsel to make a determination.

Waltz could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

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