KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Richard L. Bean is suing Knox County, Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Irwin, alleging he was unlawfully forced to resign from his position at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center.
According to the federal lawsuit, Bean was forced to resign after a dispute over the termination of a nurse, whose actions had a “negative impact on the morale of other employees.”
The lawsuit claims defendants conspired to damage Bean’s reputation and used false narratives about a “crisis” at the facility. The suit also alleges age discrimination, claiming officials viewed Bean, who is in his 80s, as too old for his position and wanted to replace him with someone younger…