Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is denying allegations of sexual abuse involving three women, including two who say they were children when the alleged abuse occurred, following a report by Valley Voice.

In a statement provided to GV Wire, Boudreaux’s team said the California Department of Justice has not initiated an independent review. The sheriff said he would welcome one.

“I understand that anyone entrusted with the Office of Sheriff must be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability,” Boudreaux said. “That is precisely why I categorically deny these allegations and would welcome any independent review by an outside agency.”

Complaint Seeks Outside Investigation

Valley Voice reporter Dave Adalian reported that a former high-ranking Sheriff’s Office official submitted a complaint to the state Department of Justice requesting an independent investigation. A similar complaint was sent to the FBI, the publication reported.

According to Valley Voice, two women described repeated childhood sexual abuse involving Boudreaux in California Hot Springs, where their families had close church ties. The publication also reported reviewing a 1991 county social services report documenting allegations involving one of the women.

GV Wire did not review those documents.

A third woman alleged unwanted touching during a visit to Boudreaux’s home, according to the publication’s account of the complaint. Valley Voice withheld the women’s names at their request.

Sheriff Says He Has Stepped Away from Related Matters

Boudreaux’s team said recent felony criminal investigations involving people connected to the complaint have been referred to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office for independent consideration.

The statement did not identify those individuals or describe the alleged crimes.

“To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest and protect the integrity of those ongoing investigations, Sheriff Boudreaux has removed himself from any matters involving the individuals associated with the complaint,” his team said.

Boudreaux also questioned the complaint’s timing, connecting it to a recent drug enforcement operation.

“The claim arrives on the heels of another successful and major operation that secured the arrest of a number of drug trafficking affiliates. The timing is not a coincidence,” he said.

The statement did not provide evidence supporting that assertion or explaining a connection between the operation and the allegations.

“Public officials are rightly subject to scrutiny,” Boudreaux said. “However, allegations should never be confused with established facts, nor should the timing and circumstances surrounding a complaint be ignored.”

His team told GV Wire that he would have no further comment beyond the statement.

In 2024, Boudreaux ran against Rep. Vince Fong for the 20th Congressional District in the race to replace then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.