Ravalli County commissioners vote to ask treasurer to resign

HAMILTON (AP) — The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners has asked embattled interim treasurer Valerie Stamey to immediately resign or face suspension without pay.

The unanimous action Friday by the commissioners came after a nearly four-hour meeting. They scheduled another meeting Tuesday to deal with the issue if she doesn’t resign.

The commission also says it plans to file a lawsuit against Stamey early next week for official misconduct and seek $29,000 in fines for failing to meet statutory requirements of the job.

Stamey did not attend the hearing but issued a statement, saying existing problems within the treasurer’s office set her up to fail.

Stamey was appointed to the interim position last September. Afterward, the office fell months behind in its workload after three of the most experienced employees quit, citing a hostile workplace.