KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the search for a new Jackson County Sheriff is underway, the 41 Action News Investigators have exclusively obtained emails shedding new light on former Sheriff Mike Sharp's relationship with his employee Christine Lynde.
That relationship, which now includes an ongoing lawsuit, forced Sharp to resign.
The lawsuit includes claims of questionable trips, special treatment and an ongoing romantic relationship.
In an email dated Feb. 9, 2016, Sharp sent to Lynde only, it shows his three-night room reservation at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri.
There's no text explanation, just an attachment with the reservation information and a list of the resorts amenities.
Another email shows Sharp was attending the Missouri Sheriff's Association meeting at the resort.
Another email chain from February 2015 shows Sharp was concerned about posting the job description for the crime analyst position.
He was told by the human resources director that it wasn't posted yet.
Then Sharp sent an email to Lynde only saying "FYI".
In addition to her payroll duties, Lynde did become an intelligence analyst.
It was part of an agreement with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Midwest High Intensity Drug Area program.
A Dec. 20, 2016 email shows Lynde getting a raise, added benefits and added training expenses for that position.
The total increase was more than $36,000 for a revised total amount of more than $95,000.
A previous email from February 2015 shows the sheriff's office was having trouble with its payroll system.
But it was decided Lynde would be pulled away from that issue so she could attend a training session.
Sharp writes, "...we will be able to make arrangements to relieve Christine's responsibilities as related to payroll for the next week and will be working in the future to lessen her responsibilities so she can focus more of her time towards the gang intelligence program".
Other emails also show some sheriff's department employees raising concerns about Lynde's roles.
In one instance, Lynde sharply responds.
In a July 2014 email she writes, "...my job and what it entails should not be of anyone's concern but my supervisors".
As 41 Action News reported last month, Sharp has gone on trips with Lynde paid for by Jackson County tax dollars.
Plans may have been in the works for another trip.
This past February 15, Sharp forwarded an email to Lynde and two others about the Midwest Gang Investigators Association National Conference in South Bend, Indiana scheduled to begin May 7.
But both Sharp and Lynde are gone from the sheriff's office.
Lawsuits involving Lynde, Sharp and the sheriff's office are ongoing.
So is an investigation by the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.
