Former security guard settles lawsuit against Cabell Commission

HUNTINGTON – The woman who claimed intolerable work conditions at the Cabell County Commission has settled her lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers entered an order Dec. 13 that put her case on the inactive docket. Chambers wrote the two parties reached a settlement, but the terms were not disclosed.

The lawsuit was filed in April 2011 in Cabell County Circuit Court. It alleged security officer Michelle Bailey was retaliated against by former Sheriff-candidate C.A. Adams because she politically supported one of his opponents in the 2008 election.

Adams lost in the primary election that year but became the director of the Cabell County Courthouse Marshals.

Adams became aware that Bailey supported his opponent and in fall 2008, Bailey became under his supervision, according to the suit.

Bailey claims almost immediately, Adams began to harass her concerning the color of her clothes, where she purchased her clothes, her shoes and other matters.

Bailey claims Adams reduced her work hours in half and scheduled substantially younger, less experienced male security officers to work instead.

The working conditions created by the defendant were so intolerable that a reasonable person would be compelled to quit, according to the suit.

Bailey claims due to the working conditions, she resigned from her employment on April 8, 2009.

A trial was scheduled for Jan. 15.