Patterson Harkavy files suit against the Alamance County Sheriff's Office alleging First Amendment violation

Yesterday, Patterson Harkavy filed suit against the Alamance County Sheriff's Office on behalf of former deputy sheriff Jeffrey Randleman.

The suit alleges that Mr. Randleman served as a law enforcement officer in the sheriff’s office for 22 years, with an exemplary record. In August 2014, he was subpoenaed by the United States Department of Justice to testify in a lawsuit alleging that Alamance County Sheriff Terry S. Johnson engaged in unlawful racial profiling. Randleman spoke truthfully and provided testimony that was damaging to Sheriff Johnson. Sheriff Johnson then terminated Randleman’s employment following his reelection as Sheriff in November 2014.

The complaint alleges that Mr. Randleman lost his job and suffered severe damage to his career and reputation because he testified honestly in court. The lawsuit challenges this termination as a violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the North Carolina Constitution, and the law of North Carolina.

Narendra and Paul represent Mr. Randleman. The lawsuit has received coverage in the Greensboro News & Record and the Burlington Times-News.