Gov. Gordon investigates complaint regarding two county commissioners

Governor Mark Gordon traveled to Thermopolis on October 17 to begin the statutorily-prescribed process of investigating a verified complaint received from seven qualified electors of Hot Springs County alleging acts of misconduct or malfeasance by Hot Springs County Commissioners Paul Galovich and Bob Aguiar, and requesting their removal from office.

The Governor’s Office will examine the verified complaint and conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether the allegations justify pursuing the requested statutory removal process. Given the very serious nature of the potential consequences involved, removal of county commissioners duly elected by the voters of Hot Springs County, preserving the objectivity and integrity of this process is crucial.

Consequently, the Governor will have no comment on this investigation while it is ongoing, focusing instead on reviewing and determining relevant facts. 

On August 20, a local group, calling themselves Concerned Leaders of Hot Springs County, Wyoming, filed two Petitions in the District Court of Hot Springs County. In each petition, the petitioners sought removal of a county Commissioner in Hot Springs County. One petition was directed at county commissioner Bob Aguiar, while the other at commissioner Paul Galovich. The petitions are signed by more than 50 residents of Hot Springs County. The petitioners later filed a voluntary Motion to Dismiss the Petitions, which was granted on September 5. At that time, members of the group announced they intented to file a complaint with the Governor.

Another local group submitted a petition in support of the two commissioners that around 150 local residents had signed.