JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A former Jefferson County deputy has filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Mark Pettway, claiming he was wrongfully terminated and retaliated against.
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According to the lawsuit filed by Jude Washington, who is a candidate for Sheriff in 2026, he was unjustly terminated by the JCSO in January 2024. The lawsuit claims Washington was later reinstated by the Jefferson County Personnel board in July of 2024, but had to resign from his position due to retaliation against him.
Pettway has responded to the lawsuit saying, in part, ”Washington is a former and disgruntled employee of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the allegations in his Complaint are false, defamatory and meritless.”
Washington alleges Pettway interfered with investigations in illegal bingo halls and allowed bingo halls associated with his brother, Bruce Pettway, to remain open while closing others in the county.
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Washington also claims that Pettway improperly handled investigations, including a murder investigation, and instructed him to leak classified information to people outside of the JCSO…