Cass County Administrator Placed on Paid Leave for Alleged Anti-Muslim Comments

Cass County Administrator Placed on Paid Leave for Alleged Anti-Muslim Comments
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The Cass County Board of Commissioners has placed County Administrator Patrick Jordan on paid leave, just over two months after he started the job, Leader Publications reported. The decision follows complaints that Jordan used derogatory, and anti-Muslim language in the workplace.

According to County Chair Jeremiah Jones, the board received complaints that Jordan’s language may have violated county policies. County Treasurer Hope Anderson stated that the allegations involved serious, discriminatory, and offensive language targeting employees, which could expose the county to legal liability. The remarks were allegedly made during an official staff meeting.

Jordan, in a statement, admitted he failed to use “wholesome talk” and said he comes from a “different generation” where he “can joke about things that aren’t accepted anymore.” He specifically mentioned making an insulting joke about Muslims.

The board voted 7-1 to place Jordan on leave pending an internal investigation. Jennifer Rentfrow, the County’s Finance Director, has been appointed as the Interim County Administrator.