In May 2013, James Lamar Blakely sued Berkeley County stating that he worked many hours at the Berkeley Co. Sheriff’s Office without ever properly being compensated. Shortly after filing that class action lawsuit to recover the unpaid overtime, seven additional officers joined in.
In July, the county agreed to pay $285,000 to settle the lawsuit.
At the November 24th council meeting, county leaders stated that additional funding in the amount of $3,049 was needed to cover the rest of the settlement payments.
County council recommended approving the additional funding which would bring the total amount to $288,049.
The money would come from the county’s General Fund.
According to the county’s former attorney Nicole Ewing, half of the settlement that the deputies will receive will be distributed as wages, with employee deductions taken out just like a regular employee paycheck.
The other half willed be issued as damages and the plaintiffs given 1099s.
“The plaintiffs will be responsible for paying their own taxes on that,” she previously stated.
Blakely remains employed at the Berkeley Co. Sheriff’s Office.
To view the lawsuit in its entirety, click here.
Prior Story:
County close to settling deputy’s lawsuit for hefty sum
