Idaho Attorney General’s Office Under Scrutiny Over Unusual Vacation Payout
The Idaho Attorney General’s Office is facing scrutiny following a substantial vacation payout to a former division chief, Steven Olsen, who was re-hired just one business day after his departure. In March 2023, Olsen received over $26,000 for unused vacation time accrued during his 18 years of service. This payout, amounting to 336 hours of vacation, was the sixth-largest among recent state government employees. (idahocapitalsun.com)
Olsen’s departure and immediate re-hiring raised questions about the Attorney General’s Office’s adherence to state policies. Idaho law stipulates that employees must separate from state employment for at least one day to qualify for a vacation payout. However, Olsen’s brief absence did not align with this requirement. Janelle White, Administrator of the Idaho Division of Human Resources, stated that such practices are "not consistent with State of Idaho employment practices." (idahocapitalsun.com)
In response, Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office defended the payout, asserting that it was consistent with state law and practices. Spokesperson Dan Estes emphasized that Olsen was compensated for time accrued during his 18 years of service, and his situation was legally indistinguishable from those previously approved by the Division of Human Resources and other state entities. (idahocapitalsun.com)
The incident has prompted further examination of compensation practices within the Attorney General’s Office. In 2023, the Idaho State Controller’s Office identified a nearly $16,000 overtime payment to Deputy Attorney General Mitch Toryanski as a potential mistake, though it remains unclear if the funds were recouped. (eastidahonews.com)
This case underscores the need for transparency and adherence to established policies in state employment practices, particularly concerning compensation and re-hiring procedures.
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