Hiring of Dubuque Sheriff’s deputy draws social media firestorm

The hiring of a Dubuque County Sheriff’s deputy that faced a sexual abuse charge 8 years ago drew outrage on social media. In an interview with another news agency Dubuque County Sheriff Joseph Kennedy said the sexual abuse charge against Matthew Pothoff came up during the hiring process but that the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it lacked evidence and could not be brought again. However, an article detailing Pothoff’s initial arrest in 2017 generated a social media firestorm and a petition accusing the Dubuque County Sheriff of hiring a “sex offender.” The petition also alludes to nepotism since Pothoff’s dad is a former Sheriff deputy and current Dubuque County Supervisor, Harley Pothoff. Sheriff Kennedy said he felt confident in the hiring of Pothoff as he cleared the required background checks, polygraph and other screenings associated with the hiring process, emphasizing that the criminal charges against Pothoff were dismissed with prejudice.