LITTLETON, Colo. -- Embattled Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Tracy Baker revealed he was sworn in for another term in a private ceremony earlier this week, without the knowledge of the county commissioners.

Baker was sworn in Thursday afternoon, he said, even while he continued to search for an insurance company to bond him for duty.

Baker accused the commissioners of blackballing him with insurance companies.

Baker was re-elected to his position in November, but his new term is threatened by his failure to obtain a $250,000 surety bond. His previous bond of $10,000 remains in effect until mid-February.

Baker's bond was increased by commissioners who said he is a legal risk to the county. They believe Baker's employees could sue the county, over allegations that he has created a hostile work environment by engaging in a sexual relationship with a co-worker.

The bond protects the county's monetary interest against potential misdeeds, such as theft, by elected officials. State law prohibits a county clerk from taking office without the bond.

Arapahoe County Commissioners have asked for Baker's resignation since October, when a county-funded investigation alleged that he mismanaged his office and misused taxpayer dollars and property to benefit a romantic relationship with Lisa Sale, his assistant chief deputy.

Investigator Rick Johnson found that Baker promoted his girlfriend, Lisa Sale, twice, resulting in raises of more than $40,000 over three years, and that the two used county equipment to exchange hundreds of explicit e-mails on county time.

Commissioners launched the investigation after Mary Whitley, his former chief deputy, alleged she was forced to work in a hostile environment and was sexually harassed because she witnessed sexual activity between Baker and Sale.

Whitley filed a notice of intent to sue and is now in settlement talks with the county.

"I've been told the Board of County Commissioners gave them all kinds of information to blackball me," Baker told the Denver Post. "I was told by the bond company that ... I have been put on a red flag (as a result of) the information put out by the board."

The attorney hired by the county to represent Baker also said she learned that he has been "red-flagged" by the insurance network.

County Risk Manager Pat Skahill said the county was obligated to let insurance companies know about potential lawsuits involving Baker. She said the county sent several press releases to the firms that contained information about the allegations against Baker.