Reports of "deficient" behavior cost two prosecutors their jobs

PORT ANGELES — Two deputy prosecutors in Clallam County have been fired after reports of "grossly deficient" behavior, County Prosecutor Deborah Kelly said.

Citing privacy concerns, Kelly said she could not offer any additional information about a criminal investigation into alleged activity that occurred when Darrin Hall and Jamie Lewellyn, both 26, were off duty during Labor Day weekend.

In a prepared written statement responding to questions from the Peninsula Daily News, Kelly said Hall and Lewellyn approached her to say they had heard they were the subject of rumors that they had committed a criminal offense.

In response, Kelly asked a police agency outside the county to look into the matter, and she placed the two on administrative leave. She declined to identify the agency that investigated.

Kelly also arranged for the state Attorney General's Office to review any police reports to determine what, if any, criminal charges should be pursued.

After a briefing from investigators, Kelly described the behavior in question as "grossly deficient, falling far below the standard expected and required of a public servant."

Termination papers were submitted to the Clallam County's Human Resources Department last week, Kelly said.

Results from the criminal investigation are expected to be forwarded to the Attorney General's Office within a few weeks, Kelly said.

Hall and Lewellyn could not be reached for comment.

Hall graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 2006 and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in November. He worked in the Pierce County public defender's office before being hired in Clallam County in late May.

Lewellyn graduated from Gonzaga Law School this year and had yet to be admitted to the bar. She was hired as an intern under an arrangement that required her to be supervised by an attorney with at least three years of experience, Kelly said.