Former Groveland Police Chief Shawn Ramsey filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the city over allegations of First Amendment retaliation, according to court records obtained by News 6.
The complaint alleges the defendants retaliated against Ramsey after he reported what he believed were violations of law, misuse of public resources and abuse of governmental authority.
Ramsey is seeking damages, attorney fees and either reinstatement or front pay.
[RELATED: Termination notice says Groveland police chief was fired over discipline of speeding sergeant]
The lawsuit was filed after the city fired Ramsey on Aug. 25. The city’s termination notice cited “Inappropriate Behavior” and “Unsatisfactory Performance,” according to the complaint.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The defendants have not yet filed responses to the complaint.
Dispute centered on discipline of speeding sergeant
According to a termination notice obtained by News 6, the city’s decision was tied to Ramsey’s handling of discipline for Sgt. Alexander Jarrell.
An internal investigation found Sgt. Jarrell drove a department vehicle faster than 100 mph on three occasions while using his emergency lights. Investigators determined he was not responding to an emergency and was driving to work, according to the notice and prior reporting.
Ramsey disciplined Sgt. Jarrell with a three-day suspension, a 30-day loss of his take-home vehicle and six months of work probation. The termination notice says the city considered that punishment too lenient and accused Ramsey of misleading the city attorney and city manager by saying there had been only one speeding incident.
[RELATED: Groveland police sergeant suspended after speeding 100 mph, using emergency lights to get to work]
Ramsey’s attorney, Anthony Sabatini, disputed the city’s explanation and said officials had not previously second-guessed the chief’s disciplinary decisions.
The notice says the city decided to fire Ramsey on Aug. 12 while he was on vacation, though he did not receive the letter until he returned Aug. 25.
Ramsey disputes the city’s explanation
Ramsey claims the city had no documented performance concerns before he made his whistleblower disclosures. He says Maslow told him in April that he had “absolutely” no performance concerns and later said that any termination would not be related to performance.
The complaint also alleges that city officials publicly identified Ramsey as the whistleblower, subjected him to repeated investigations and questioned how much longer he should remain employed.
Ramsey says a State Attorney’s Office investigation related to his reports ended in April with “no evidence of any crime whatsoever.”
Lawsuit includes medical leave claims
In addition to First Amendment and Florida whistleblower retaliation claims, Ramsey alleges the city interfered with his rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act. He says he submitted medical certification for intermittent leave on July 28 and that the city acknowledged receiving it the next day.
Ramsey also alleges he filed a workers’ compensation claim related to hypertension on Aug. 11. The complaint says city records indicate Maslow decided to terminate him the following day.
The lawsuit alleges the timing, shifting explanations and treatment of his medical-related claims show the city’s stated reasons for firing him were a pretext.
The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida’s Ocala Division.