Mark Essick speaks at a press conference in 2019. File/Photo: Mike DeWald
The findings of an investigation into whether Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick bullied Supervisor Lynda Hopkins can be released to the public. On Wednesday, a state appellate court ordered the release of the taxpayer-funded investigation. Essick is still allowed to appeal the ruling to the California Supreme Court. The outgoing sheriff is accused of bullying and threatening Hopkins during a heated argument on the phone in August of 2020. It happened as the Walbridge Fire burned in Hopkins’ district, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. If there’s no appeal the investigation documents can go public in less than 30 days.