Wood County Commission to reinstate deputy as part of lawsuit settlement
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PARKERSBURG -- The reinstatement of a former Wood County sheriff's deputy who recently settled a lawsuit with the county is on the agenda for Monday's meeting of the Wood County Commission.
The item listed on the agenda for Monday, March 18 is at 9:30 a.m. the commission will "Consider Request to Reinstate Della Matheny as a Deputy Sheriff for the Wood County Sheriff's Department".
On March 11, Pleasants County Circuit Court Judge Timothy L. Sweeney approved a settlement between Matheny and the Wood County Commission, the Wood County Sheriff's Department and former Sheriff Steve Stephens.
Under the terms of the agreement, Matheny is to be reinstated as a sergeant and receive $275,000 to settle the lawsuit.
Matheny resigned from the sheriff's department in July 2021 and filed the suit the following November, alleging then-Sheriff Stephens harassed female employees, created a hostile work environment and violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act and whistleblower laws.
The settlement agreement is contingent upon Matheny's reinstatement at her previous rank and with credit for service since her original hiring date of July 1, 2013. That requires action by the Wood County Civil Service Commission.
Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard said the Wood County Civil Service Commission has met recently and signed off on the judge's order.
"They simply followed the order of Judge Sweeney,'' he said.
Woodyard has said, under the guidance of the judge's order, Matheny would be reinstated with the department.
The sheriff has said in the past he is holding off on making any official statement as there are two other lawsuits by employees under Stephens pending against the former sheriff, the department and the commission. Woodyard said he will be making a statement once those lawsuits are resolved.
All three cases were eventually assigned to Sweeney after Wood County's three circuit judges recused themselves.
Wood County Commission President Blair Couch said the case regarding Matheny is settled.
"I am glad this matter has been put to rest,'' he said.
With the court's approval and her reinstatement, the settlement would end Matheny's legal action against Stephens, the sheriff's department and the commission. It states the payment of the $275,000 is not an admission of guilt by any party.
Allegations in the suit included that Stephens created abusive working conditions and engaged in a series of retaliatory acts such as stalking, targeting, unfair discipline and ostracization against Matheny, leading to her resignation.
Stephens has denied the accusations in court filings, saying Matheny was not discriminated against "intentionally or otherwise" and that his employment practices were "conducted in all respects in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations and constitutions."
In October 2021, 27 members of the Wood County Deputy Sheriffs Association voted having no confidence in Stephens' leadership.
Stephens retired and resigned as sheriff effective Dec. 1, 2021.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com