Probation approved for Vegas race

"Our team overall will be around 40 people and each will pay their own expenses. There will be no county resources, no equipment and they’ll be on their own time,” said Chief Probation Officer Loren Buddress.

Although the county will have no financial stake in participation, Buddress felt it best to double-check with Maltbie.

"Knowing there were some concerns from last year’s race I felt it was appropriate to check with the Board [of Supervisors] and the county manager,” Buddress said.

The race — deemed the Super Bowl of law enforcement races — includes teams from throughout the world. The event stretches 120 miles over two days with 20 stages.

Sheriff Greg Munks and Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos participated last year on April 21 and April 22. On the second day, the pair were discovered at a brothel during "Operation Dollhouse,” a series of raids by local and federal authorities that followed a two-year prostitution investigation. Four people who allegedly ran the brothels were recently indicted.

Neither local official were arrested and Munks later issued an apology for his "lack of judgment,” claiming he thought he was going to a legitimate business and neither he nor Bolanos had broken any laws. Shortly after, the county issued a statement that $9,000 was spent on expenses related to the race and a San Carlos man announced plans to launch a recall effort against Munks which has since grown stagnant.

Following the incident, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance requiring approval for any out-of-town event involving county employees. Although county resources require specific approval, Maltbie said the county must also OK any event where the participants are representing the county.

Maltbie said he had no qualms about the Probation Department’s involvement provided members use their own time and money.

As of yesterday, Sheriff’s Risk Manager Tom Merson said he hadn’t heard of any plans by the office to participate in the 24th annual race scheduled for April 19.

No request has been made to the county, Maltbie said.

Buddress, however, said there was "absolutely no” consideration of not running again.

"It is a wonderful team-building event and all of the participants have a terrific time,” said Buddress, who personally runs in the race.

The department has participated in five of the last six years, he said.

The team requires 20 runners and another 10 to 25 employees for support. In years past, when the team hasn’t quite reached the minimum from the Probation Department, other county workers such as prosecutors have joined.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.