Gov. Scott, lawmakers call for sheriff to resign in wake of sex charges

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - Governor Phil Scott Friday joined Addison County lawmakers in calling for Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton to resign after he was charged with sex crimes.

In a statement to WCAX, a spokesperson for Governor Scott says he “believes these serious charges brought against the Sheriff make it impossible for him to perform his elected duties,” and for him to “do right by the people of Addison County and resign immediately.”

A letter from seven representatives and two senators also called for Newton to resign immediately and that if they were in session, they would push to impeach him. “If Sheriff Newton has an ounce of integrity left in his body, he will resign, because this is not good for the people of Addison County. It is not a safe situation, it is not an ethical situation, and he really needs to step down now,” said Sen. Ruth Hardy, D-Addison County.

Newton is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he was dating. He pleaded not guilty to multiple charges Tuesday.

When asked on his way out of court, he said he had no plans to step down.

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