HOT SPRINGS — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former Garland County road department employee who said he had been improperly fired.
U.S. District Judge Robert Dawson on Tuesday granted summary judgment for the county in the case. The ex-employee, Buddy Rynders, filed the lawsuit last year against Garland County Judge Larry Williams. The Sentinel-Record reports the case had been set to go to trial on Monday.
Among other things, Rynders had asked for compensatory damages exceeding $75,000, both punitative and liquidated damages and front pay or reinstatement. He had claimed he was fired because he was a witness in a 2006 criminal case involving a county worker who said he had been beaten up by two co-workers. That case was dismissed.
The county denied that allegation and says Rynders was fired because of excessive tardiness and abuse of his sick leave.