BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A former Gallatin County sheriff’s deputy who had his 2014 firing vacated by a judge has settled a civil lawsuit against the county, agreeing to not come back to the department.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported (https://bit.ly/2evVrPg ) Friday that Gallatin County agreed to pay David Johnston $400,000.
Johnston was fired in 2014 after sheriff’s office administrators say he refused to hand over a tape recorder that Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin ordered him to turn in.
Johnston sued the county following his firing, asking to be reinstated. A judge reinstated Johnston and ordered the county to pay him more than $125,000 in lost salary and benefits.
The county appealed the decision to the Montana Supreme Court, while Johnston filed additional claims against the county in federal court.
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Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
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