A civil-rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Greeneville on behalf of Robin Fritz of Kingsport against Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable, Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy, Deputies Brandon Harer and Raven Munz and Sullivan County Constable Rodger Jones was filed by Attorney James Friauf on Friday.
“Venable maintained a policy and/or directive, as implemented by Sheriff Cassidy, to physically and otherwise punish citizens who express a political belief that sheriff deputies should wear masks, or otherwise maintain a six-foot distance from citizens when performing their job duties, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and otherwise support President Joseph R. Biden and the current Democratic presidential administration’s views regarding masking and social distancing,” the lawsuit stated.
The lawsuit alleges that Robin Fritz was tackled to the ground after requesting a deputy wear a mask. She was also allegedly left in a hot police cruiser with no air conditioning, her mask was ripped from her face and several officers assaulted her. She was also allegedly refused medical attention at the jailhouse and later went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a heart condition due to her encounter and spent two weeks recovering in the hospital due to her injuries and condition. You can read the full story here: https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/05/23/sullivan-county-claims-sheriffs-deputies-retaliated-after-she-insisted-on-masks/