A federal lawsuit filed against the Benton County sheriff says the elected official had a list of employees he planned to dismiss after the March 1 primary election.
Three sheriff's office employees filed the suit against Sheriff Kelley Cradduck on Thursday. They're suing for violation of their free speech rights and association, along with civil rights. They also allege there was an Arkansas Whistle Blowers Act violation because the sheriff's behavior is in retaliation to the employee's cooperation with a state police investigation against him.
In a criminal case, Cradduck has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony tampering with a public record and misdemeanor tampering.
Cradduck didn't respond to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's request for comment Thursday. County attorney George Spence said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit.
