Veteran, former deputy sues sheriff for discrimination

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – A former sheriff’s deputy is suing a North Carolina sheriff who he says discriminated against him for his disability and military background and wrongfully terminated him.

The Times-News of Hendersonville reports Geoffrey Turner’s lawsuit contends Henderson County sheriff’s employees harassed him for his hearing loss and military record, which included three tours in Afghanistan and Iraq with the U.S. Army National Guard.

Turner became a reserve deputy in 2012, the same year he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He says he was threatened with firing if he spoke of his military experience, and the harassment worsened his PTSD. Turner says he was forced to resign in 2015.

In a Monday statement, Sheriff Charles McDonald denied the claims, and says he’ll respond in further detail if Turner provides a release.

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Information from: Times-News, http://www.blueridgenow.com