Chris Blair has agreed to drop out of the race for Marion County sheriff in return for a deal in his pending criminal case.
Blair had been indicted earlier this year on charges of perjury and official misconduct. He was immediately suspended and replaced by Emery Gainey, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Under the deal, Blair will avoid prosecution and will continue to receive his state pension. He spent many years with the sheriff’s office before retiring and then running for the top job four years ago.
Gainey said he supports the deal.
“(It) will allow this community to put this painful episode behind us and move forward both as an agency and community,” Gainey said.
