A former employee has sued Sheriff Billy Woods and accused the sheriff's office of unlawfully retaliating against her because she repeatedly questioned inmate health care at the Marion County Jail.
Mary Coy filed the complaint in circuit court pursuant to the state's Whistleblower Act. She seeks a jury trial and at least $50,000 in damages, exclusive of costs and interest.
The seven-page lawsuit was filed on Coy's behalf by attorney Thomas L. Dickens III from the Marie A. Mattox, P.A. law firm in Tallahassee. The Ocala Gazette earlier reported on the suit. Sheriff's officials said they don't comment on pending lawsuits.
According to the lawsuit, Coy worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office from Feb. 20, 2018 to Aug. 27, 2024, when she was fired. At the time of her firing she served as a medical liaison at the jail.
The suit says Coy was "a loyal and dedicated employee who received favorable evaluations." However, despite her work performance, she says she was "subjected to disparate treatment, different terms and conditions of employment, and was held to a...
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