MONTICELLO – A federal suit against Sullivan County and Sheriff Michael Schiff by a former deputy sheriff, who claims he fired because he is African-American, has been dismissed by a federal court judge.
Donald Buckner, Jr. was among 34 deputies who were randomly tested for drug use in June 2007. He was found to have drugs in his system and was terminated by Schiff after an impartial hearing officer concluded he had violated the county’s drug policy and recommended his termination.
Buckner filed a lawsuit claiming he was discriminated against because of his race. Among his arguments were claims of other sheriff’s personnel who reportedly tested positive for drug use but were not terminated.
US District Court Justice Cathy Seidel ruled all of those arguments to be hearsay with no proof to back them up. As a result, she granted the county’s motion for summary judgment to dismiss the charges.
