Jeff Donahue, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Captain, under investigation for golfing with an inmate

Jeff Donahue, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Captain, is under investigation for taking an inmate on a golfing excursion, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

Frank Carrillo, a former pro-golfer turned jewel thief, told the LA Times that Capt. Donahue escorted him to a golf course last summer, where he then gave the captain tips on how to improve his golf game. 

"He was amazing to me," Carrillo told the Times, adding he thinks the captain benefited from his lesson. "He kind of has this swing that's old school and risky, but he hits it every time. I would probably say he's a 14 or 15 handicap. Not too bad."

However, the trip may not have been worth it for Donahue: the captain of Catalina Island's Avalon Station is now under investigation for conducting an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, according to the Times. Sheriff's officials are strictly forbidden from fraternizing with inmates, and inmates are rarely allowed off-site excursions, the Times reported. 

Carrillo, who was serving time for stealing a World Series ring from a former Dodger at a golfing event, was moved out of the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles and allowed to do his time on the sunny island of Catalina, the Associated Press reported. He was sentenced for two years, and has since been released. 

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The golfer said his outing was approved by Sheriff Lee Baca when he was on Catalina for a charity event, the Times reported. Sheriff Lee's spokesman Steve Whitmore denied this. 

"They may have said hello, a conversation may have occurred, but Baca never condoned this guy going out and playing golf," Whitmore told the Times. "He would never do that. He would never condone taking a trusty out and having them go play golf."

Some of Donahue's deputies were unfazed by their boss's golf trip, Deputy William Cordero, who filed the complaint, told the Times.  

"Donahue's station is split, with some deputies not seeing a problem with a Sheriff's captain taking an inmate out (we would call it hooky but it seems more serious than that) for some sunshine and golf pointers. Which means that if you're going to jail—not that we condone breaking the law —try and make sure it's on Catalina Island," wrote The Atlantic Wire's Alexander Abad-Santos. 

Donahue is currently on medical leave.