Denied Motion for Summary Judgment

A 10th circuit judge has denied Oconee County’s motion for summary judgment. This significant decision implies that the wrongful termination lawsuit filed by David Stokes, a former county department head, remains active.

The case has been ongoing for seven years and has seen several pre-trial motions. Judge Lawton McIntosh’s ruling was filed in the Common Pleas Court last Friday. This followed a motion on April 4th by an attorney representing Oconee County, who sought to dismiss the last remaining allegation made by Stokes against his former employer.

Stokes, who held the position of building official, lost his job in 2017. It is alleged that his termination was a consequence of his refusal to grant a building permit for a carport to Edda Cammick, who was a county councilwoman at the time.

Currently, the only remaining legal issue in this case is Stokes’ claim of wrongful termination. His earlier allegation of slander has already been dismissed.