In December 2011, Sheriff Jeff Merrell terminated Deputy Denile Gale for allegedly distributing prescription-strength ibuprofen to inmates without proper authorization. Gale contended that his termination was in retaliation for his political support of Merrell’s opponent during the 2010 election. Gale filed a lawsuit against Uintah County and Sheriff Merrell, alleging violations of his procedural and substantive due process rights, as well as First Amendment rights. The court found sufficient evidence to deny summary judgment for the defendants, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
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