(Dec. 15, 2016) Federal District Court Judge J. Frederick Motz recently ruled the United States Department of Justice can intervene as a plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by three former Pocomoke City Police officers who allege that they were subjected to discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act.
The complaint filed by the United States on Dec. 1 is similar to the one already filed by former officers Franklin Savage and Lynell Green and former Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell. The defense has already filed a motion to dismiss the new claim on similar grounds as the original claim, but a judge has yet to rule on the issue.
The basis of the complaint starts with Savage, who claims he was subjected to a hostile work environment by the Sheriff’s Office, and by extension, the state, while he was assigned to a joint task force.
Savage also alleged that he was subject to further retaliation by the Sheriff’s Office and Pocomoke City, up to and including his termination.
Further, Green and Sewell contend they faced retaliation for supporting Savage’s claims. Green eventually resigned from the Pocomoke department, and Sewell was fired by the city.
In July, Green and Sewell were indicted by a grand jury on charges of misconduct in office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in office. Sewell was convicted of misconduct in office this week, but cleared of conspiracy charges, and Green is scheduled for court on Dec. 19.
The complaint filed by the United States on Dec. 1 is similar to the one already filed by former officers Franklin Savage and Lynell Green and former Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell. The defense has already filed a motion to dismiss the new claim on similar grounds as the original claim, but a judge has yet to rule on the issue.
The basis of the complaint starts with Savage, who claims he was subjected to a hostile work environment by the Sheriff’s Office, and by extension, the state, while he was assigned to a joint task force.
Savage also alleged that he was subject to further retaliation by the Sheriff’s Office and Pocomoke City, up to and including his termination.
Further, Green and Sewell contend they faced retaliation for supporting Savage’s claims. Green eventually resigned from the Pocomoke department, and Sewell was fired by the city.
In July, Green and Sewell were indicted by a grand jury on charges of misconduct in office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in office. Sewell was convicted of misconduct in office this week, but cleared of conspiracy charges, and Green is scheduled for court on Dec. 19.