Former Lieutenant To File Lawsuit Against Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office

Former Lieutenant To File Lawsuit Against Sheriff’s Office

Falsifying a domestic violence complaint, seizing children from a home without a warrant, and setting up a false sexual harassment complaint are all claims being made against members of the Wakulla County Sheriff’s command staff.

The attorney representing a former member of the command staff sent a letter to Sheriff Donnie Crum explaining those accusations. She says the letter is required by law in advance of a lawsuit she plans to file against the Sheriff’s Office.

Steven Ganey used to be a captain with the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office. However, he took early retirement in June after he claims he was demoted to lieutenant without cause. He says that demotion was just the beginning of his troubles.

In the letter dated August 13Th, 2012, Ganey’s attorney claims Major Shepard Brunner and Lieutenant Billy Jones took Ganey’s children from his home “without benefit of any court order.”

The letter goes on to claim Major Brunner helped Ganey’s wife file a petition for a domestic violence order “he knew was false”. Ganey’s attorney also claims witnesses overheard Major Brunner planning to “have Mr.Ganey “set up for investigation” on a bogus sexual harassment complaint.

Attorney Marie Mattox tells us the letter is in advance of a lawsuit she plans to file against the Sheriff’s Office within the next six months. Sheriff Donnie Crum declined comment on the letter due to the pending lawsuit. According to Ganey’s attorney, his wife is a relative of Sheriff Crum and a friend of Major Brunner.