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Fired FCSO deputies file suit over dismissals

By Ken Stanford Contributing Editor
Posted 1:42PM on Tuesday 29th July 2014 ( 9 years ago )
GAINESVILLE - A group of former Forsyth County Sheriff's deputies, who were fired by Sheriff Duane Piper less than two months after he took office, have sued Piper, the county and others.<br /> <br /> The suit follows a dismissal of their case by the Georgia Supreme Court. They had appealed a superior court denial of their petition to force a hearing of their case by the Forsyth County Civil Service Board. But the high court said it dismissed the officers' appeal because they failed to follow the correct procedure in filing it. (See earlier story. Link below.)<br /> <br /> Named as defendants in the suit are the county; Sheriff Piper; the county's Director of Personnel, Patricia Carson; and ten unnamed "co-conspirators."<br /> <br /> The plaintiffs claim political retaliation and age discrimination in their firings, which they say were unlawful and improper. Their dismissals occurred on Feb. 20-21, 2013. Sheriff Piper has said the action he took was part of a "reduction in force."<br /> <br /> In their suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Gainesville, the plaintiffs are asking for an unspecified amount in damages; payment of their attorney fees; reinstatement to their former positions with no loss of seniority or benefits; and back pay, among other things.<br /> <br /> The eleven plaintiffs include five lieutenants, four captains, and two sergeants.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/7/277669

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