Consumer Law
A Former West Virginia Sergeant Accuses a Sheriff of Creating a Hostile Work Environment
A former West Virginia sheriff’s officer filed a lawsuit Friday afternoon accusing the Wood County sheriff of making derogatory and sexist comments about her and another officer, inappropriately touching a female officer and creating a hostile work environment, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reported.
The suit was filed by former Sgt. Della D. Matheny, who said Sheriff Steve Stephens’ behavior eventually led her to quit the department in July 2021. It alleges the problematic behavior dates back to around 2012, when Stephens first made “inappropriate comments to (her) about her weight and appearance. He made comments to (her) about how her butt looked in the pants she wore.”
