After dismissal, former chief deputy for Precinct 3 accuses ex-boss of ‘bullying’

Rivera lashes out, denies charges of harassment

Milton Rivera, the former chief deputy at the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, hit back at his former employer Thursday, calling Constable Sherman Eagleton a “bully” who solicited false sexual harassment claims to justify firing him over management differences this month.

Rivera, who was the second in command, told the Houston Chronicle he never touched any of the three women who accused him of harassment and that, instead, they were disgruntled because he had reprimanded them for mistakes.

“All I ever did was correct their lack of performance in the office,” Rivera said. “My body never touched their body. I just don’t go around doing that type of behavior. I have a beautiful wife 10 years younger than me, and I’m not going to jeopardize that relationship.”

Eagleton fired Rivera Nov. 17 after two female employees claimed sexual harassment and a third claimed to be the victim of Rivera’s “aggressive beratings,” according to Precinct 3’s chief inspector, Jorey Herrscher.

Eagleton had first suspended Rivera on Nov. 9 after discovering he had made two untruthful statements targeting another deputy, Herrscher said. As soon as he left, Rivera claims Eagleton “solicited” harassment complaints from female employees — which Herrscher said is only half true.

Allegations surface

After Rivera’s suspension, Herrscher said Eagleton received a complaint from one of the women alleging sexual harassment. Eagleton then decided to gather employees for a meeting to ask if any others had experienced any form of harassment while working with Rivera. Two more raised their hands.

On Thursday, Rivera provided the Chronicle with formal written responses to the three female employees’ specific allegations, which he submitted to Eagleton during the internal investigation.

Rivera said he believes he was ousted because disgruntled employees — including the constable — didn’t like his management style and just wanted to get rid of him. This all transpired, Rivera said, in the months following the April ambush-style murder of Precinct 3 Assistant Chief Clint Greenwood, causing emotions to run high in the precinct and stress levels to soar.

Rivera said he was only trying to maintain a level of discipline.

In his written responses, he describes a plethora of mistakes he claims the three women made during the course of their normal duties, as apparent justification for some of his comments or reprimands directed at the employees.

But Herrscher described it as “victim-blaming.”

Asked whether he apologized to the women for making them feel uncomfortable even if he never intended to do so, Rivera said he didn’t believe there was anything to be sorry about.

‘Never touched them’

“I never touched them or harassed them. I just disciplined them on their behavior,” he said. “Would you apologize for correcting somebody’s behavior performance-wise? I’m straight to the point. I don’t sugarcoat things. But I did not use any foul language. I didn’t use any condescending tone. I just think they wanted to get rid of me and go back to doing whatever they wanted to do.”

The Harris County Attorney’s Office and the county’s human resources office is continuing its investigation into Rivera, as well as grievances Rivera lodged against Eagleton and other employees detailing various forms of mismanagement or policy violations.

Rivera said he obtained a lawyer and plans to appeal his termination.