Cecil County State’s Attorney Hired Son for Job Same Day Dad Sworn in; Primary Campaign Challenger Questions Nepotism

Cecil County State’s Attorney E.D.E. (Ellis) Rollins III, who is seeking re-election to his post, hired his son as an investigator– who began work the same day his father was sworn into office– although he lacked the law enforcement experience of previous occupants of the position. The hiring has become an issue in the current Republican primary campaign.

Ellis Rollins’ son, Kyle Rollins, was hired as an investigator in the State’s Attorney office on 1/3/11, according to county Human Resources Director Donna Nichols, who said his current salary is $53,664. He is scheduled to receive a 4.75 percent pay raise—including a 1.75 percent cost-of-living increase—effective 7/1/14, she added.

The State’s Attorney’s office receives funds from Cecil County government as well as the state but its personnel policies come under the county government’s HR office, Nichols said. The county has an anti-nepotism policy regarding the “employment of relatives” but Nichols said it was determined that the elder Rollins would not be directly supervising his son.

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