Controversial Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has resigned months after speculation that he would be joining the Trump administration.
The Milwaukee County Clerk’s Office confirmed to The Hill that Clarke turned in his resignation in a letter Thursday at noon. The letter, obtained by The Hill, doesn’t give a reason for Clarke’s resignation.
“Pursuant to Wis. Stat. 17.01, this communication is submitted as the notice of my resignation as Sheriff of Milwaukee County commencing August 31, 2017,” Clare wrote in the letter.
Clarke was named in a lawsuit earlier this month filed by the family of an inmate, Terrill Thomas, who died in 2016 of dehydration in one of Clarke’s jails. In the suit, the family accuses Clarke and others of subjecting the inmate to “unconscionable pain and suffering and causing his death.”
“The change in Mr. Thomas’ condition was obvious to every jail employee who looked into his cell, including multiple defendants. However, not a single one bothered to call for help until it was too late to save Mr. Thomas’ life,” the suit reads.
Clarke, a strong supporter of President Trump, was reportedly offered a role in Trump’s Department of Homeland Security in June.
The controversial sheriff withdrew from consideration for the role a few weeks later.
Updated 5:13 p.m.