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Deputy’s lawsuit against Wood County officials ends in settlement

(Court Reports - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The lawsuit of a deputy against a former Wood County Sheriff and others has been settled, according to county officials.

A settlement has been reached between the county and Deputy Tasha Allen (Hewitt), according to paperwork filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

“Parties have reached a settlement of all claims,” according to the District Judge Daybook Entry form filed April 15, 2024.

A document, signed by Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr., Senior United States District Judge, said an exhibit and a transcript of the deposition of Della Matheny would be sealed with a redacted version of the deposition entered for the public record.

At recent meetings of the Wood County Commission, officials said the case was settled for the amount of $105,000. County officials said that that commission’s portion was $15,000 with the rest coming from the county’s insurance company.

The deputy entered a lawsuit in 2022 against the Wood County Commission, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, former Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens, former Chief Deputy Robert Sims and Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure for gender discrimination, retaliation, deprivation of due process and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to papers filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

She had previously entered into a settlement in June 2020 with county officials relating to allegations of harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation and other allegations she made.

After that, she alleges the improper treatment continued with other alleged instances relating to personal relationships, time for child care, her appearance and more as well as not being afforded due process in addressing her concerns, court documents said.

She alleges Stephens called her a “whore,” according to the complaint.

In his response, Stephens denied any wrongdoing through papers filed by his attorney, Peter G. Zurbuch of Busch, Zurbuch & Thompson, PLLC in Elkins, W.Va.

Stephens retired and resigned as sheriff effective Dec. 1, 2021.

Hewitt’s attorney Scott H. Kaminski did not have any comment on the matter when contacted on Friday.

Recently, the county commission settled another lawsuit regarding Stephens and another female deputy. On March 11, Pleasants County Circuit Court Judge Timothy L. Sweeney approved a settlement between Della Matheny and the County Commission, the Sheriff’s Department and Stephens.

Under the terms of the agreement, Matheny is to be reinstated as a sergeant and receive $275,000 to settle the lawsuit.

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 in July 2021.

Stephens has denied the accusations in court filings.

Another lawsuit against Stephens and the county is still pending before Sweeney involving Court Officer Mark Harris who is suing Stephens and the county for emotional distress for taking time off to care for his sick wife while the sheriff allegedly was pressuring him to return to work.

Harris filed suit in late 2021 against the Wood County Commission and Stephens.

Harris, who has been employed by the county since 1984, claims in his lawsuit that Stephens’ conduct in reference to his time off was “atrocious, intolerable, and so extreme and outrageous as to exceed the bounds of decency.”

His wife was diagnosed with cancer in June 2016 and at that time, Harris used accrued sick leave to take care of her.

In late 2017, other employees began donating their sick and vacation time to Harris so he could take care of his wife and at the time, Stephens allowed it, according to the suit.

Once the sick days ran out, Harris started using vacation days and the suit said Stephens “exerted undue pressure on (Harris) to stop using his leave time and to be at work.”

Harris’ wife passed away Sept. 21, 2020. The suit alleges employees wanted to take up a donation for Harris, but Stephens didn’t allow it.

Both sides have been engaged in the exchange of written discovery and taking depositions.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

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