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Hamilton Co. Unanimously Approves Settlement With Incoming Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey

91.7 WVXU | By Bill Rinehart

Published December 29, 2020 at 2:17 PM EST

Newly elected Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey talks about criminal justice reform and equity during a news conference Wednesday morning at the Hamilton County Justice Center.

Update 12/30/20: Hamilton County commissioners unanimously approved the settlement terms Wednesday afternoon, with few comments.

Hamilton County's sheriff-elect is dropping her federal discrimination suit against Hamilton County. Charmaine McGuffey was demoted from the head of the jail in 2017, under allegations she created a hostile work environment.

McGuffey sued, claiming gender and sexual orientation discrimination. Hamilton County commissioners will vote on the settlement Wednesday afternoon. It calls for McGuffey to drop the suit, and for the county to give her about $212,000 in back pay. The settlement also asks Judge Susan Dlott to award attorney's fees.

Earlier this year she defeated her old boss, Jim Neil, for the Democratic nomination in the race for sheriff. She won the general election for the post last month.