AG Rutledge Lets 23 Go In Transition
by January 13, 2015 4:30 pm 130 views
New Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, R-Arkansas, let 23 employees go on Monday (Jan. 12).
Rutledge, who was sworn into office on Tuesday as the first woman and first Republican to hold the position, said a new administration called for changes in the state’s top legal office.
“During a transition period, it’s always an opportunity for change and we decided not to extend the offer for those individuals to be hired in this administration,” Rutledge said.
The Attorney General’s office has 176 employees, including lawyers, investigators, support staff and administrators.
“Attorney General Leslie Rutledge personally interviewed all of the current staff members that make up the Attorney General’s office. Today is the start of a new administration, and everyone is considered a new employee,” said Rutledge spokesman Judd Deere. “As is the case with any transition, changes are going to occur. Yesterday, 23 employees — from various departments — were notified that they would not be offered a position in the new administration.”
Rutledge is the 56th Arkansas Attorney General and was elected to a four-year term in November 2014.
“The people of Arkansas have entrusted me with an enormous responsibility of serving as their Attorney General, and I am honored and humbled by their confidence. My office will work every day, and make it the highest priority, to protect the well-being of all Arkansans from criminals, internet predators, scam artists and an overreaching federal government,” Rutledge said in a statement after her swearing-in.