Civil suit against Maketa, Presley can move forward
A judge has ruled that a civil lawsuit that was filed against former El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa and Undersheriff Paula Presley can move forward.
The suit also named current Sheriff Bill Elder, Undersheriff Joe Breister and the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. The case against them was dismissed.
Commander Mitchel Lincoln, Commander Rodney Gehrett, Commander Robert King, Lt. Cheryl Peck and Sgt. Robert Stone are listed as the plaintiffs.
In the suit, King, Lincoln and Gherett allege that Maketa showed favoritism to female subordinates who had sex with him and discriminated against subordinates who refused to have sex with him. They also say in the suit that on May 12, 2014, they delivered complaints to both the sheriff’s office and the Board of County Commissioners.
The suit says that the complaint that was delivered to the sheriff’s office was an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint that accused Maketa and the county of sexual discrimination in the workplace based on sexual favoritism.
The suit says that the complaint that was delivered to the Board of County Commissioners requested an investigation of Maketa and Presley for creating a hostile work environment, threats, creating a sexually discriminatory workplace, improper procurement and budget practices and retaliation for political views and civil rights violations.
In addition to the claims of sexual favoritism, the suit alleges that Maketa looked at the campaign website of then future Sheriff Bill Elder to see the list of names of people listed as Elder supporters. It claims Maketa retaliated against Stone because his name was on the list.
Finally, the suit alleges that Maketa asked Peck to lie to the media, and that when she told the truth instead, she was removed from her position as Lieutenant of Internal Affairs and moved to a midnight shift.
The law firm of Farry & Stock P.C. is representing the plaintiffs. It tells KRDO NewsChannel 13 that Maketa and Presley will have to file answers to the charges listed in the suit. They can also file an appeal.
