CHESTER, S.C. (AP) - Chester County officials say a lawsuit by two firefighters against the sheriff’s office has been settled.
The terms of Monday’s settlement have not been released, The Herald of Rock Hill (https://bit.ly/2lxHORR) reported. County attorney Joanie Winters says the county’s insurance will pay the settlement.
The firefighters’ lawsuit said they were assaulted and improperly arrested in 2014.
West Chester Volunteer Fire Chief Andy Martin and his brother, volunteer firefighter Tommy Martin, sued Sheriff Alex Underwood and his top deputies for false arrest and malicious prosecution. The men were jailed one night.
The South Carolina attorney general’s office decided against prosecuting the case against the firefighters.
Deputies arrested both men after a wreck in a storm Feb. 14, 2014. The firefighters were in command after a truck overturned and wanted the road closed, but neither South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers nor Chester deputies would close the road.
Sheriff’s attorney Jim Davis says Underwood did not admit any wrongdoing and was opposed to the settlement.
“The sheriff remains adamant that he and his guys did nothing wrong,” Davis said. “The decision was made to cut the cost and get it resolved.” The settlement will save taxpayer’s money by avoiding a trial, he said.
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Information from: The Herald, https://www.heraldonline.com
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