The State - News from Aug. 4, 1989

A 21-count grand jury accusation against a former Merced County sheriff was dismissed in Superior Court. The accusation, intended to force Bill Amis out of office, was not necessary after Amis resigned July 25, Dist. Atty. Frank Dougherty said. Some of the grand jury accusations revolved around a group of prominent Merced County residents who paid $100 a year to belong to a group of so-called “special deputies.” The grand jury contended the group constituted a political organization to support Amis. Other allegations included driving a county vehicle for private use, attempting to use the office to obtain gratuities and failure to act on tips that employees violated departmental rules. Amis maintained his innocence in the letter of resignation to county supervisors.