Former Sheriff Brian Burnett was implicated in multiple lawsuits alleging workplace retaliation and discrimination. In 2018, a jury awarded Deputy Jennifer Tyler $506,500 in damages and $449,000 in attorney’s fees after finding she was a victim of retaliation under Burnett’s administration. In 2019, Burnett fired Tyler again, leading to a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination and civil rights violations, which was settled in 2024 for $1.5 million. Additionally, in 2023, former Deputy Aaron Shepard filed a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination and harassment under Burnett’s leadership, which was settled in 2024 for $250,000.
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