Judge and gavel

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

US DISTRICT COURT, OCALA

A jury rejected a Citrus County sheriff's deputy's claim that she was subjected to a discriminatory demotion.

Heather Cogar was fired in December 2016 but reinstated after a hearing a month later. She was reassigned to a dispatch role by the sheriff, who was appointed shortly after Cogar's termination. Cogar claimed the reassignment was a demotion and gender discrimination.

The defense contended Cogar was not demoted since she was technically unemployed when the new sheriff was appointed. The jury found the reassignment was not an adverse employment action.

Case: Cogar v. Citrus County Sheriff's Office

Case No.: 5:18-cv-00052-JSM-PRL

Plaintiffs attorneys: Thomas J. Jerla, Boca Raton, and William J. Sheslow, Spring Hill, Whittel & Melton

Defense attorneys: Brian Koji and Carly Stein, Allen Norton & Blue, Tampa