By Steve Miller
Seven former employees of the Liberty County School District, located about 50 miles west of Tallahassee, have filed a federal lawsuit against ousted superintendent Gloria Uzzell, claiming defamation and civil rights violations.
The 30-page complaint filed earlier this month accuses Uzzell of a vengeful campaign against several people who supported her political opponent in her campaign to become superintendent in the fall of 2012. The spouse of one plaintiff is also suing. The school district is also named as a defendant.
Among the allegations, which can all be read here:
· Uzzell accused plaintiff Karen Peddie, former director of administration, of using district labor to cater her daughter’s wedding.
· Uzzell claimed on Facebook that Jack Peddie, husband of Karen, “stalked her at a high school baseball game.”
· Uzzell made a statement in the local newspaper that plaintiff Jason Fowler, who served as technology supervisor in the district before leaving in May, harassed her.
· On June 29, 2013, Uzzell posted on Facebook that Fowler had falsified his time records over the course of his employment which resulted in a high leave payout when he resigned
· In March 2013, plaintiff Stephanie Hofheinz, a former district finance officer, had completed two interviews for a job with the Leon County School Board , when defendant Uzzell told Leon County Superintendent Jackie Pons that Liberty County had a “forensic audit” going on. The suit contends this cost Hofheinz the job with the district.
The plaintiffs deny the accusations.
The suit also alleges that the Liberty County School District “failed to implement adequate hiring, training, staffing and supervisory procedures, a direct result of which Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights were violated.”
It also claims that Uzzell published false statements about the plaintiffs.
The case was filed by Tallahassee attorney Marie Mattox, who did not return a phone call.
Uzzell, 52, was arrested in July on charges of grand theft, official misconduct and failing to disclose information in a public records request.
The last charge stems from a public records request by Jack Peddie for Uzzel’s district-issued credit card statements , which were provided with items crossed out, according to court documents filed by the prosecution.
A probable cause affidavit alleges that Uzzell secured a credit card in the school district’s name shortly after taking office in November 2012 without advising the district. She used that card for personal use , according to the affidavit, including $3,000 for hotels in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, a $1,000 shopping spree at Dillard’s, hair care and jewelry.
Shortly after her arrest, Gov. Rick Scott suspended her from public office. Uzzell pleaded not guilty and in November a deferred prosecution agreement was entered, meaning if she complies with a number of conditions, Uzzell will not face any criminal charges.
Among the terms of the agreements, Uzzell agrees not to seek re-election, to refrain from posting comments on social media regarding the case and to pay $500 for the cost of the investigation by the state attorney’s office.
A person answering the phone at the residence where public records indicated Uzzell is staying said she was not available for comment. Acting Superintendent Anthony Anderson said by email that the district is not involved in paying for Uzzell’s defense.