Governor Chris Sununu says Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard should resign immediately in the wake of an aggravated DWI conviction. Hilliard has said he plans to stay on the job.
"The sheriff has been convicted of a serious crime and should resign immediately," Sununu said in a statement.
Scott Hilliard has been sentenced to five days in jail and lost his driving privileges for 18 months, but has said is seeking for forgiveness and plans to remain on the job at least until his current term expires in December.
County commissioners say they've consulted legal council, and see no mechanism to remove Hilliard who has asked the public for forgiveness.
Tara Reardon is chair the Merrimack County Board of commissioners.
"I don't have a preference to tell you the truth, I don't think I get to weigh in on that. We are very serious in saying we have every confidence that the men and women of that department are going to run that department. He's an elected official so it's up to voters."
Sununu removed Hilliard from his judicial selection commission at the time of his arrest in August.
