PARKERSBURG — A lawsuit by a former Wood County deputy against a former sheriff continues to move forward with new motions made.
In early November, attorneys for former Wood County Sheriff’s Sgt. Della Matheny, the Wood County Commission, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and former Sheriff Steve Stephens had a hearing before Pleasants County Circuit Judge Timothy L. Sweeney to discuss motions regarding sanctions requested by Matheny against the commission and the sheriff’s department over claims of discovery abuse as well as motions to compel discovery from both.
In legal filings made a couple months ago in Wood County Circuit Court, attorneys for Matheny allege a pattern of officials concealing, destroying and refusing to search for critical evidence and failing to take steps to preserve it, among other abuses.
Matheny served in the sheriff’s department from July 1, 2013, to July 23, 2021, when she resigned.
She filed suit against the County Commission, the sheriff’s department and Stephens, alleging Stephens harassed female employees, created a hostile work environment and violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act and whistleblower laws.
The suit claims Stephens referred to another female deputy as a “whore” and created abusive working conditions. It also says he engaged in a series of retaliatory acts such as stalking, targeting, unfair discipline and ostracization against Matheny, which caused her to resign.
Stephens has denied the accusations in court filings,...
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