Rejected applicant sues Summers County Sheriff's Department

HINTON - A Princeton man claims he was subjected to unfair practices when applying for a deputy position in Summers County.

William V. Worley filed a lawsuit Aug. 1 in the Circuit Court of Summers County against the Summers County Sheriff's Deptartment, the Summers County Commission, former Sheriff Edward F. Dolphin, personally and in his official capacity, and Deputy Sheriff James Chellis, personally and in his official capacity, citing defamation, slander, libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Worley says he applied for a deputy position with Summers County in July 2011 and was allegedly denied the position because he did not complete an agility test and present a physician statement, which were unknown requirements.

The plaintiff was also denied a fair hearing regarding his name being removed from the eligible hire list and was not allowed to take the written exam, according to the complaint.

In addition, Dolphin visited social media sites on Summers County Sheriff's Department's computer and made untrue statements about the plaintiff's character, the complaint states.

Worley is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages and is representing himself.

Circuit Court of Summers County Case No. 13-C-43