CLAY COUNTY — Clay County has been dismissed from a sexual harassment lawsuit a former sheriff’s office employee filed against Sheriff Eddie Scott.
In a Tuesday ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge David A. Sanders dismissed some claims levied by Caitlyn Wilson against Scott, but allowed the remaining claims – hostile work environment, retaliation and equal protection violations – to stand.
“For all other claims there exist material issues of fact to be determined by a jury,” Sanders wrote in his ruling.
Wilson, a former investigative assistant for the sheriff’s office, has alleged Scott sexually harassed her while she was employed. Her accusations include Scott sending sexually-charged and inappropriate text messages in a shared thread with another employee and two incidents where Scott allegedly touched her inappropriately. She also claims when she complained of the harassment, Scott retaliated against her, including threatening to fire her and driving by her home.
The suit was filed in 2022 and is one side of a legal argument.
Scott has been accused of several other instances of sexual harassment, sparking an FBI investigation in 2021. No charges have been filed and he has denied Wilson’s allegations as well as all other claims.
Wilson is represented by Tupelo attorney Jim Waide. Scott is represented by Clarksdale attorney Jeff Allen.
Wilson’s amended complaint includes four claims against Scott. She alleges quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment, meaning that Scott took action against her because she rejected his sexual advances and that those actions affected the conditions of Wilson’s employment and created an abusive working environment.
A second claim is that Scott’s alleged harassment violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause because the harassment was directed only toward female employees.
Wilson’s third claim alleges Scott retaliated against after she reported her harassment, which she argues is a violation of Title VII’s anti-retaliation provision.
The final claim alleges Wilson’s rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) were violated. It is a federal law that allows employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for reasons such as childbirth or an inability to work due to a serious medical condition.
Sanders wrote that Clay County was dismissed as a defendant in the suit because the sheriff’s office is considered to be Wilson’s employer, not the county.
In Wilson’s response to Scott’s summary judgment request, she conceded the claims of quid pro quo sexual harassment and violations of the FMLA. Sanders dismissed those two claims in his ruling.
For the remaining claims, Sanders wrote “material disputes of fact exist regarding the plaintiff’s claims for a hostile work environment and retaliation under Title VII and for sex discrimination under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.”
When contacted Thursday by The Dispatch, Scott declined to comment on Sanders’ ruling but said, “It’s in good hands with our lawyers right now and I feel comfortable with the route it’s going.”
Kevin Edwards is news editor and reports on Starkville and Oktibbeha County government.
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