Two Former Deputies Sue Summit County Sheriff Over Alleged Retaliatory Firings
Two former special deputies have filed lawsuits accusing Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree of wrongful termination in retaliation for supporting her opponent during the 2024 sheriff’s election.
Gregory Taylor, a retired veteran of the sheriff’s office, filed a federal lawsuit Monday in Cleveland, just months after fellow former deputy Stacy Clark filed a similar suit. Both allege they were fired for showing support for Shane Barker, Fatheree’s opponent in the 2024 election.
The lawsuits accuse Fatheree of violating the deputies’ First Amendment rights and engaging in political retaliation. Both Taylor and Clark claim their terminations stemmed from attending Barker’s election night party on November 5, 2024. Just days later, on November 18, they were dismissed from their roles as special deputies, a part-time position typically filled by retired law enforcement officers.
Taylor, who retired in 2023 after 27 years of service, had a long-standing friendship with Barker, dating back to their childhood. Clark also served 27 years before retiring in 2021. Both were rehired shortly after retirement in their new capacities as special deputies, positions categorized as “at-will” and directly under the authority of the sheriff.
The timing of their terminations—just days after the election—has raised questions about whether political allegiance played a role. According to both lawsuits, there were no performance issues or formal disciplinary actions prior to their dismissal.
Fatheree, who won re-election against Barker in 2024, has so far declined to comment publicly on the allegations. “The sheriff does not comment on pending litigation,” said Chief Deputy Bill Holland, the department’s spokesperson. However, in court documents responding to Clark’s earlier lawsuit, Fatheree denied firing her due to political support for Barker.
As of this writing, no response has been filed in Taylor’s case by either the sheriff or Summit County’s legal representatives.
Legal experts say the cases could test the limits of First Amendment protections for public employees, particularly those in “at-will” positions like special deputies. While government employees can be terminated without cause, they cannot be fired for exercising constitutionally protected rights such as political affiliation and free speech. If the lawsuits are successful, they could prompt greater scrutiny of employment practices in law enforcement agencies, especially when it comes to political neutrality.
The suits also come at a time when public trust in law enforcement remains a topic of national discussion, particularly surrounding issues of transparency, leadership, and political influence within local departments.
Taylor and Clark are seeking compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress, as well as reinstatement to their positions. They also want the court to issue an injunction preventing the sheriff’s office from retaliating against employees for political activity in the future.
As the cases progress through the legal system, they are expected to draw significant public and media attention in Summit County. For now, both former deputies are standing by their claims, alleging that loyalty to a political candidate cost them their jobs after nearly three decades of service.
The lawsuits may ultimately hinge on whether the court finds sufficient evidence of a retaliatory motive tied directly to political expression, an issue that remains at the core of the First Amendment’s protection for public employees.
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