Ex-Social Services Director Resigns

Richard W. Jacobsen Jr., the county’s former Social Services director who lost his position amid a series of scandals, resigned Friday.

Chief Administrative Officer David Janssen said he accepted Jacobsen’s resignation, which is effective Sept. 1. Jacobsen will continue to use accrued sick leave until then, as he has since he was replaced April 6 as the last managerial move of outgoing CAO Norman Hickey, Janssen said.

Despite lengthy negotiations between Janssen and Jacobsen, the departing administrator will receive no severance pay or benefits beyond those accrued during 17 years of county service, Janssen said. Janssen declined to discuss details of his recent meetings with Jacobsen.

Jacobsen did not return a telephone call to his home for comment.

Hickey removed Jacobsen following scathing grand jury reports that detailed allegations of fraud and corruption in the disbursement of welfare payments and a Child Protective Services system that unnecessarily separated some families in order to protect children from abuse.