Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Presumed innocent – except when you are a man accused of touching a woman, or when you are married to that man.

Citizens at Tuesday’s Sangamon County board meeting point to a State Journal Register article that says the board’s approval of Paula Crouch as sheriff came despite a background check revealing her husband, Robert Crouch, was accused of unwelcome contact with woman who worked in the same building.

Robert Crouch is now the Riverton police chief.

The fact the woman decided not to press charges didn’t matter to Ken Pacha, who said the entire episode is evidence Paula Crouch “doesn’t believe women” and “turned a blind eye” to the accusations. For her part, Paula Crouch put out a statement saying as a victim herself, she has no tolerance for sexual harassment, adding that the case was dropped, and that the accusations against Robert Crouch “have no bearing” on her ability to serve as sheriff.

Citizen Breonna Roberts said the community should have had the opportunity to discuss the case as the county board was considering sheriff candidates. Roberts added the sexual battery allegation should have been a “red flag” against Paula Crouch.

“What exactly does it take to get disqualified as the chief law enforcement officer of Sangamon County?” asked Pacha.

Board chairman Andy Van Meter told the newspaper he did not believe the allegation was germane to Paula Crouch’s candidacy.

Also Tuesday, the board sent a resolution for a voter referendum on whether to give county residents the ability to recall elected officials to committee – or, as sponsor Sam Cahnman put it, the graveyard.