One of two plaintiffs in a sexual harassment lawsuit against Faulkner County and some of its officials has withdrawn from the case.
U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. ruled in Little Rock on Monday that Mary Johnson could withdraw as she requested. The action leaves Julie Woodward as the sole person suing the county over alleged harassment against Shelia Bellott, director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management.
Other defendants include Jim Baker, county judge of Faulkner County, and Faulkner County Administrator Tom Anderson in their official capacities.
County attorney and spokesman David Hogue confirmed Tuesday that all four of the Emergency Management employees who originally filed complaints with the county against Bellott have now resigned from that office since the allegations became public.
The most recent resignation was by Eric Duvall. “He just couldn’t stand to work with Shelia anymore … as a result of all the stuff you’re aware of,” Hogue said.
The three others resigned earlier. DuVall and another now-former employee in the office did not join the lawsuit.
Hogue had recommended that Bellott be fired. Baker decided against dismissal.
Read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more details.