LIMA — Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish has checked himself into an inpatient treatment program to address an unidentified “serious personal issue,” his attorney said in a written statement Wednesday.

“I first want to assure the public that the personal issue that Sheriff Crish has identified does not, and has not involved his duties as Sheriff, public funds or property,” Crish’s attorney Mike Rumer said in the statement.

Rumer said Crish plans to return to his duties at the Sheriff’s Office soon and looks forward to addressing the various personal issues that have come to a head over the past week.

“As a result of the recent activity of the FBI Agents, Sam has come to the realization that he has a serious personal issue which he must address,” Rumer wrote.

In Crish’s absence, Chief Deputy Jimmy Everett will be in charge of daily operations.

“During his absence, the public should be advised that the operations of the Sheriff’s Office is in very capable hands and that Sheriff Crish is communicating on a regular basis with Chief Deputy Everett,” Rumer wrote.

Everett will remain in charge until Crish returns, Rumer said.

Rumer said he would not comment further on the FBI serving a search warrant at the sheriff’s office Sept. 7.

The FBI is expected to take at least another month, and possibly two, before it releases any information in its activity at the sheriff’s office. No charges have been filed against anyone.

Crish asked Rumer to issue the letter because of a great deal of speculation about the matter.

Crish is on the ballot unopposed in November. He was first elected sheriff in 2008.

Read the release from Sheriff Sam Crish's attorney. https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/09/mediarelease-3.pdf Read the release from Sheriff Sam Crish's attorney. File photo | The Lima News Allen County Sheriff Samuel A. Crish https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/09/web1_CrishCombined-3.jpg File photo | The Lima News Allen County Sheriff Samuel A. Crish

By Greg Sowinski gsowinski@civitasmedia.com

Reach Greg Sowinski at 567-242-0464 or on Twitter @Lima_Sowinski.

Reach Greg Sowinski at 567-242-0464 or on Twitter @Lima_Sowinski.