ADDISON COUNTY, Vt. (WCAX) – The majority of the Addison County legislative delegation is calling on embattled Addison County State’s Attorney Eva Vekos to resign.
“We deserve to have a state’s attorney that has the trust of the public,” said Sen. Ruth Hardy, D-Addison County, who was among the ten lawmakers signing on to the letter.
It all started back in January when police say Vekos arrived on the scene of a suspicious death in Bridport and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
Last Wednesday the Vermont Supreme Court suspended her law license temporarily over her refusal to provide information about her medical leave.
“This is not an acceptable situation and we need to have the state’s attorney step aside so somebody who can do the full function of the position can be appointed and that we can have an office that is serving Addison County better,” Hardy said.
One of the few members of the delegation to not sign on was Senator Chris Bray, D-Addison County, who says while he does have concerns for public safety and the need for a functioning prosecutor, he’s not ready to make a decision on the matter. “What I didn’t feel comfortable was making an assertion that the Legislature should tell her to resign. I wanted to have a fair and complete review of the facts,” he said.
The only other options for removing an elected official from office are by voters at the polls or through impeachment by the Legislature, a path lawmakers started down just last year with former Franklin County State’s Attorney John Lavoie.
“It’s an enormous process, it’s lengthy, it’s expensive, and it’s often political. So, I think that it’s not something the Legislature would want to go through if it doesn’t have to,” Hardy said.
Vekos and her attorney declined to comment on the letter from lawmakers. The Supreme Court decision last week does not specify ow long her law license will be suspended.