PUD worker on leave for alleged threats

Male employee sent home

BEVERLY - A Grant County PUD employee was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday for allegedly saying he occasionally felt like he wanted to bring a gun to work and "go postal."

The information apparently came from the employee's co-worker, said Grant County Chief Deputy John Turley.

The utility asked that an officer be present when the employee was spoken to on Tuesday and sent home without problems, Turley said.

No arrests were made, Turley said.

An internal investigation is planned.

The PUD's request for deputy assistance was made from the utility's hydro engineering office at the Wanapum Village.

The PUD declined to release the employee's job title because it treats personnel matters with "high confidentiality and sensitivity," said spokesperson Sarah Morford. She also provided the following prepared statement.

"We do not have a published policy that specifically addresses these types of situations. We approach them on a case by case basis and take whatever steps we believe are reasonable and necessary in order to strike the proper balance among several considerations including: Confidentiality, safety and fairness."