UPDATE: Sheriff Woody Under Fire For Nepotism Claims - WRIC Richmond News and Weather -

UPDATE: Sheriff Woody Under Fire For Nepotism Claims

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Richmond, VA—More than a year after Richmond City Sheriff C.T. Woody came under intense fire for allowing a dozen of his own family members to work within the Sheriff's Office, 8News is seeking answers.

Richmond City Council members accused Sheriff Woody of nepotism, when it was discovered that 12 members of his family were employed by the Sherriff's Office. On September 28, 2011, Sheriff Woody said he would make changes. "For all of those who feel I should comply with the nepotism policy of Richmond I have no problem with it at all," he stated.

Over the past seven months, 8News attempted to interview Sheriff Woody about his progress in removing family members from payroll. Our requests were repeatedly denied; we received an email which said Sheriff Woody's "decision making process is still within the time frame he reported."

Just six weeks form the end of the year, several members of Sheriff Woody's family are still holding their positions at the jail. As of November 1, seven family members worked under Sheriff Woody.

The City of Richmond has a policy against nepotism, which prohibits hiring family members for a supervisor/subordinate relationship. In October of last year, Richmond City Council passed a resolution asking Sheriff Woody to follow the city's policy. But some council members remain concerned about Sheriff Woody's progress in removing his relatives.

"He did say he was going to address the problem within this year; we've seen a little less than half of the family members go," said Richmond City Council Member Charles Samuels.

Beyond asking nicely, council members can't do much to enforce the anti-nepotism policy, explains Samuels. "Much like I can't tell the school board how to spend the money we provide to them. I can't tell the Sheriff who is an independent constitutional officer how to run his position or how to run his jail."

Sheriff Woody still has several weeks left tin the year to keep his word on removing relatives from positions at the Richmond City Jail…8News will continue to monitor his progress.

Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond