By Charles D. Perry
The Sun News
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — A former Horry County Fire Rescue lieutenant is suing the agency because the fire chief wouldn’t fulfill a promise to rehire him after his criminal charges were dismissed, according to recently filed court papers.
Everette Long, who worked for the agency for 13 years, resigned from his post in July 2013. Long contends in court papers that Chief Fred Crosby told him he would rehire him after his criminal case was resolved.
Crosby declined to comment Thursday.
The charges stemmed from a dispute over a USB drive that Long’s former in-laws claimed he had stolen, according to the lawsuit. Court papers indicate the drive contained revealing photos of the sister of Long’s ex-wife.
Long contends he never took the drive and that his former in-laws were angry about his relationship with the agency’s then-public information officer.
In addition to Horry County Fire Rescue and Crosby, the lawsuit names his former in-laws, the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Public Safety Department and a detective at the police department as defendants. It was filed Jan. 2.
Long contends in court papers that his former in-laws persuaded a county detective to obtain an arrest warrant for the charge of receiving stolen goods.
Long insists the USB drive had been given to him by his sister-in-law’s relative. When he realized what was on it, Long gave the drive to his ex-wife, the lawsuit states.
Long says in court papers that he was accused of keeping the drive in the house he once shared with his ex, but he wasn’t living there at the time.
With Long facing criminal charges, he informed Crosby about the case and the chief told him he’d have to fire the lieutenant if he was arrested, according to court records.
But Long maintains in court papers that the chief made him an offer: If he simply resigned, Crosby would rehire him after the criminal case was resolved.
Once the charges were dismissed and his record was cleared, Long asked for his old job back, according to the lawsuit. He wasn’t rehired.
Now Long lives in Oconee County and he’s suing for lost pay and benefits as well as damages for stress, anxiety and pain and suffering, among other claims.
Horry spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said Thursday that the county had not been served with the lawsuit. She said county officials typically don’t comment on pending litigation.
Long’s lawsuit is the third filed by current or former firefighters against Horry County Fire Rescue in the last nine months. All of rhe plaintiffs are represented by Paul Porter, an attorney with J. Lewis Cromer and Associates in Columbia.
Porter could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Check back for updates.
___
(c)2015 The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC