Jail employee’s hearing set

Former sergeant claims demotion was act of retaliation

BENTONVILLE — Complaints from a Benton County Jail employee who says she was unfairly demoted and discriminated against will be heard by the county’s justices of the peace.

The Grievance Council will consider the grievance filed by Tiffany DeVore when the panel meets at 6 p.m. June 1. The council is composed of Michelle Chiocco, Joel Jones, Shirley Sandlin, Susan Anglin and Kurt Moore.

DeVore said she was a disciplinary sergeant at the jail until she was demoted May 13. DeVore claims in her grievance she was demoted for exercising her right to free speech. She also claims gender discrimination in documents filed with the county. She asks to be reinstated, seeks payment for lost wages and “compensation for all other damages and any related costs and expenses.”

DeVore claims she was demoted because she made comments in support of Paul Pillaro and Glenn Latham. Pillaro ran for sheriff in the Republic Party primary in March. Latham is running for sheriff as an independent candidate in the November general election.

DeVore said she also has made comments critical of Shawn Holloway, who won the Republican Party nomination for sheriff defeating Cradduck, Pillaro and Timothy Filbeck. Meyer Gilbert was appointed sheriff after Cradduck agreed to resign last month. Cradduck pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor tampering charge. Gilbert named Holloway chief deputy at the Sheriff’s Office.

DeVore also claims the demotion is a form of retaliation by Lt. Robin Holt, saying she lodged “no less than three complaints against Lt. Holt, but there has been no recourse.”

The Sheriff’s Office issued a statement after DeVore filed her grievance saying the office “will cooperate fully” with the county’s grievance process.