Deputy on paid administrative leave following alleged incident

(ABC 6 News) – A Mower County deputy is on paid administrative leave after allegedly being involved in an incident at an Austin bar earlier this month.

The deputy is also a member of the Austin Public School board.

Evan Sorenson, a deputy with the Mower County sheriff’s office – has confirmed he is on paid administrative leave. Sorenson was not at the board meeting Monday evening but superintendent Dr.Joey Page said he is still an active member of the board.

Curtis Sorenson, owner of the Bakery Lounge in Austin said he is aware of the incident happening around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday and he thinks it is being blown out of proportion because situations like this are not uncommon.

“This is nothing new to us. We sell alcohol. We understand what we are dealing with on a weekend basis,” he added that he thinks Evan Sorenson “didn’t do anything wrong.”

The owner says that Sorenson is a regular and they have never had a problem with him. He was, however, involved in an argument or “scuffle” that lasted less than ten seconds outside of the bathrooms at the Bakery.

Law enforcement was not called to the bar that morning and Sorenson left without being escorted by bar staff.

Austin police has taken the security footage from the Bakery and the incident is currently under investigation.

Sorenson was not present at the Austin Public School board meeting Monday evening

The chair of Austin Public school board confirmed that they are aware of an alleged incident.

Superintendent Dr. Joey page says as board members, the goal is to work on a strategic plan and meet the education needs for the district and actions in personal lives should not detract from student achievement.

And according to the Austin Public school board member code of ethics, board members quote “shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and shall take no private action that will compromise the school board or administration.”