MARTINSBURG — A former police officer is suing the City of Martinsburg and its police chief, citing alleged discrimination and retaliation after the officer sought overtime pay for his canine handling work.
Craig Phelps filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against the defendants, alleging that they intentionally violated his constitutional rights.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that as a result of defendant's actions, he has sustained damages for loss of future earnings, aggravation, humiliation and emotional distress. The plaintiff holds the city of Martinsburg and Chief Maurice Richards responsible because the defendants allegedly discriminated and retaliated against him for asserting his rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act by removing him as canine handler.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory, liquidated and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by evidence, plus interest, attorney fees and costs and such other relief as the court may deem appropriate. He is represented by Barry Beck of Power, Beck & Matzureff in Martinsburg.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia Case number 3:17-cv-00020
