McKEE, Ky. (WYMT) - A judge-executive is asking for an investigation into a sheriff's office.

The request comes after financial problems at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office have come to light.

Jackson County Judge-Executive William Smith says Sheriff Denny Peyman's office owes the county fiscal court more than $278,000.

According to Smith, the court has had to cover the sheriff's payroll since he took office in January 2011.

The practice stopped in August when, Smith says, an auditor recommended someone investigate the situation. Since then, deputies haven't been paid.

The fiscal court will make a claim against Peyman's bond, something we're told each elected official must post, which means he could lose his office effective immediately.

We talked to Sheriff Peyman. He says there's been no wrongdoing in his office. He says deputies have ramped up law enforcement and they're spending more money. He also disputes the $278,000 the court says his office owes. He tells us there are mistakes in their bookeeping and he's called the FBI to investigate both the court and his office. Sheriff Peyman says the money is coming in this week and his deputies will be paid.