Deputy said she was forced to retire after eating lunch with old boss John Darr

A bailiff who says she was fired by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office for Facebook posts made by her husband isn’t the only employee claiming unfair termination.

On Oct. 4, another Sheriff’s employee, retired Jeri Lee Green, posted a comment on the Columbus GA Concerned Citizens Facebook page stating that she was forced into retirement after Sheriff Donna Tompkins and Maj. Joe McCrea saw her eating at a restaurant with former Sheriff John Darr.

On Friday, Tompkins denied Green’s allegation that she was forced into retirement.

“There’s always lots to the story, but let me say this about Jeri Green,” the Sheriff said in an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer. “She submitted retirement paperwork through her attorney and she retired on September the 29th. She was given a retirement ceremony on the plaza at 2 p.m., where she was thanked for her 20 years of service. And that’s that.

“If you have further questions, I would suggest that you talk to her attorney, because I don’t want to really comment on that,” she told the Ledger-Enquirer. “I mean, Capt. Green served for 20 years, and she retired, which is what she asked to do. And so we honor her request. Anything more than that would not be appropriate for me to comment on. I would not want all of my business out there on social media, but that’s just me.”

On Facebook, Green wrote that she had put in for her retirement Sept. 11, with plans to retire on Nov. 3. On Sept. 13, she and her husband went to Shane’s Rib Shack for Public Safety Week. It was her birthday weekend, so she was off the rest of the day, she said.

The following statements are exactly as they were typed on Facebook.

“... My husband and I get to the restaurant (filled with public safety),” according to the comment. “... We run into John Darr, we sit down and reminisce. ... And no time was any jail sensitive business being discussed ... I have been in the industry for 20 years and 4 sheriff's ... I'm not going to put myself in that position...”

And then she continued.

“Sheriff Tompkins and Maj McCrea walk into eat also. ... Tompkins speaks to me, I return the salutation ... I continue to eat, we get up to leave and I walk towards her booth, and said, ‘See y'all later, ‘" she wrote. “... Went on with my mini vacation, came back to work Monday... And was told I was being terminated for disloyalty ... I was hurt and upset ... I hired an attorney, was reinstated and was told to retire early ... she refused to do my retirement ceremony... But that's OK ... It was lovely!!!”

“... I don't want to be unprofessional or disgruntled ex employee ... I just want to live my life and be happy. ...,” she told the Facebook group. “But yes I was very disappointed. ... It wasn't illegal ... retaliation?! Maybe ... But it's hard and expensive to go that route ... I prefer not to stoop to that level and tarnish my reputation and the respect I've gained over the years ... I am and always (have) been a person of integrity and loyal. Thank you for the concern, it's appreciated!!”

This story was originally published October 6, 2017 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Deputy said she was forced to retire after eating lunch with old boss John Darr."