BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is the subject of more internal investigations. Sheriff Shane Nelson tells KBND News he's limited in what he can say because some inquires are ongoing.

"On Friday, May 20, 2016, I received information from an employee regarding alleged rumors circulating about restrictions on political campaigning by public employees," Sheriff Nelson said Thursday. "I contacted the Oregon Department of Justice as soon as possible, and they accepted the request for an internal investigation." Oregon's Secretary of State's office is also looking into the matter. 

Another investigation involves a Deschutes County Lieutenant. "On June 3, 2016, our office was notified by ATF that they wanted to conduct an inquiry into an employee regarding potential violations of whether the employee needed to obtain a federal firearms license to build a firearm for a coworker while off-duty." The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) visited his office Wednesday and Nelson says he was told it was "not a prosecutable violation." The ATF case was subsequently closed. 

Sheriff Nelson says in yet another investigation, he is the focus. "Two employee-generated complaints have been filed against me within the last two weeks. The complaints were made by employees who were prior supervisors. These investigations are being handled by outside agencies and our office will fully cooperate with the investigators."