Former police officer says Town of Rhodell wrongly fired him

BECKLEY -- A Raleigh County man is suing over claims his former employer brought malicious unsubstantiated criminal charges against him.

Jeffery A. Cook filed a lawsuit April 4 in Raleigh Circuit Court against the Town of Rhodell and Lee Cook, citing unlawful termination.

According to the complaint, on June 24, Jeffery Cook was terminated in his employment as a police officer with the town of Rhodell. He says on Aug. 28, the defendants brought unsubstantiated criminal charges against him, which were dismissed on Sept. 16.

The defendants are accused of defamation, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and tort of outrage.

Jeffery Cook is seeking punitive damages and court costs.

He is being represented in the case by attorney Christopher B. Frost of Hamilton, Burgess, Young & Pollard PLLC. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge John A. Hutchison.

Raleigh Circuit Court Case No. 333-H