ROCK SPRINGS — Sue Rigano, the mayor of Bairoil, Wyoming, was served with a summons today charging her with two counts of Nepotism.

Detective Michelle Hall of the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office served Mayor Rigano with the summons following a County Commission meeting in Green River, according to Sheriff Rich Haskell.

Nepotism, a misdemeanor that carries upon conviction a maximum possible penalty of a fine of not more than $1,000, is part of the Ethics and Disclosure Act under Wyoming statute. The penalties section under the act also specifies that “Violation of any provision of this act constitutes sufficient cause for termination of a public employee’s employment or removal of a public official or public member from his office or position.”

According to Wyoming Statute 9-13-104 [Nepotism]:

“ (a) No public official, public member or public employee shall advocate or cause the employment, appointment, promotion, transfer or advancement of a family member to an office or position of the state, a county, municipality or a school district. A public official, public member or public employee shall not supervise or manage a family member who is in an office or position of the state, a county, municipality or school district.”

“(b) A public official, public member or public employee, acting in his official capacity, shall not participate in his official responsibility or capacity regarding a matter relating to the employment or discipline of a family member.”

“Family member,” as defined in the Act, “includes spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent or grandchild or a member of any of the above’s household.”

As described in court documents, Sue Rigano was elected to her current term of Mayor of Bairoil on May 13, 2013 and “has previously held the position of Mayor of Bairoil, Wyoming, as well.”

“Anthony Rigano is the spouse of Sue Rigano. He is employed as a water system operator and a police officer for the Town of Bairoil. He has had both of these positions throughout the time of the charged offense;” further that “Mayor Sue Ann Rigano directly supervises manages and acts in her official capacity regarding Anthony M. Rigano’s employment with the Town of Bairoil. (COUNT I)”

In addition, “Jeffrey L. Evans is the child of Mayor Sue Ann Rigano. Jennifer A. Evans is Jeffrey L. Evans’ wife and a member of his household. Jennifer A. Evans is Mayor Sue Ann Rigano’s daughter-in-law” and “Jennifer A. Evans is acting Town Clerk of the Town of Bairoil and has been employed by the Town in some capacity since July 2013…  Mayor Sue Ann Rigano directly supervises, manages and acts in her official capacity regarding Jennifer A. Evans’ employment with the Town of Bairoil. (COUNT II)”

Haskell said county detectives served search warrants in Bairoil October 1 at the Bairoil Town Hall, Bairoil Town Community Center, and Sweetwater County Solid Waste District #2 and seized a large quantity of documents, computers, and computer records related to the investigation.

Bairoil is a small community in extreme northeastern Sweetwater County about 150 driving miles from Rock Springs.

The summons orders Sue Rigano to appear in Circuit Court in Rock Springs on October 28.

Haskell said his agency’s investigation is continuing.