Robbinsville – A former Graham County Sheriff’s Office employee has filed a lawsuit against the agency, alleging wrongful termination, emotional and mental distress, and sexual harassment.
Catrina Buchanan’s suit – filed July 27 – contends that in the fallout from Joseph Jones’ sudden resignation as sheriff June 29, 2020, she was wrongfully fired from her duties as executive assistant, a position she had held since being hired by Jones’ predecessor, Danny Millsaps, on Nov. 7, 2016.
Sheriff Jerry Crisp was officially appointed to the post shortly after Jones’ resignation, following a brief legal dispute with the county. Crisp served as chief deputy of the office under Jones and, according to the lawsuit, terminated Buchanan while she was on medical leave on July 30, 2020.
“On July 9, 2020, Plaintiff was placed out of work on medical leave by her medical care provider due to the significant negative mental impact she was experiencing as a result of the intimidating and hostile work environment of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office,” the suit reads.
Buchanan’s suit alleges that beginning around November 2019, Jones “actively pursued” Buchanan by means of purchasing gifts and sexual harassment. According to the suit, Buchanan was under the impression that “her employment and work environment could be compromised if she did not go along with the advances of Jones’ aforementioned conduct.”
The suit contends that others within the office also made inappropriate comments toward Buchanan, but does not single out any employees.
Later in the suit, it is alleged that Crisp told Buchanan she was being terminated as a condition of his appointment to the post by Graham County Republican Party Chairman Steve Odom. Buchanan’s suit also alleges that prior to her termination, she had discussed Family Medical Leave Act paperwork with then-county manager Becky Garland and county clerk Kim Crisp, which would have went into effect shortly after Buchanan’s termination.
Buchanan is seeking $25,000 for the following allegations: sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination and punitive damages. She is also seeking a trial by jury, for the costs of the case to be paid by the defendants and “such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.”
When contacted by The Graham Star, Crisp provided limited comment, but did say that he “denied all allegations” in Buchanan’s lawsuit.
Actions thus far
The suit is similar to ones filed by former Graham County sheriff’s deputies Brent and Reba McMahan on Dec. 10. Reba’s suit was against Jones, Crisp and the sheriff’s office, which alleged wrongful termination, constructive termination, failure to hire, blacklisting, sexual harassment, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
However, the allegations of wrongful termination, constructive termination and failure to hire were dismissed by District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. in the U.S. District Court in Asheville on March 17. Another allegation of mishandling government funding was voluntarily removed by Reba on April 2.
Jones later filed a motion to dismiss the sexual harassment claim on July 27.
A separate suit also filed by Reba on Dec. 10 against Odom and the Graham County Republican Party – which stated that Odom’s page published a Facebook post the same day of her termination – cited alleged “serious policy violations, personal failings, inability to perform her job correctly and felonious criminal conduct.”
The suit said the post remained active for “numerous” days, with Odom – who is chairman of the local GOP – interacting with the public in the comments section. The matter has entered mediation and a hearing is scheduled for April 18, 2022.
Brent’s lawsuit – directed toward Jones and the sheriff’s office – alleged wrongful termination, blacklisting, mishandling of federal grants, and intentional and emotional distress. Jones’ attorneys filed motions for dismissal June 16; the case was scheduled to be heard in Graham County court Aug. 9, but was continued. A new trial date has not been set.