Font ResizeSevier County has paid $10,000 to end a lawsuit by five sheriff's officers who claim they were demoted for supporting their boss' opponent in a primary.
A federal judge earlier this year threw out the suit, which sought millions of dollar of damages from the county for allegedly retaliating against the five and violating their free speech rights. In exchange for the payment, the officers have agreed not to appeal the dismissal.
The county said in a written agreement that it denies all allegations in the suit but has chosen to end lengthy court proceedings.
The plaintiffs alleged in their suit that they were targeted for retaliation and lost supervisory positions because they supported Sheriff Phil Barney's opponent in the 2006 Republican primary. Shortly after Barney won that election, the officers were transferred to different positions, according to their suit.
U.S. District Judge Bruce Jenkins ruled in June that three of them -- Allen Pearson, Jerred LeFevre and Troy Morgan -- had no constitutional right to keep a certain position within the Sheriff's Office.
In an earlier decision, the judge had thrown out the claims of retaliation and constitutional violations brought by jail commander Kirt Rippstein and Sgt. Jack Peterson, the director of emergency services. Jenkins said the sheriff has complete discretion to appoint and remove anyone holding those positions and that the two men were not retaliated against in violation
The $10,000 settlement was reached in September. The Salt Lake Tribune obtained details about it this week under a Utah Government Records Access and Management Act request.
