Los Angeles - The Law Firm of Silver, Hadden, Silver, Wexler & Levine of Santa Monica has filed suit in the United States District Court, Central District of California, asking that Court to hold Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona accountable for abusing his office and for trampling on the constitutionally protected civil right of free speech during the political campaign by his opponent Orange County Sheriffs Lieutenant William Hunt for the office of Orange County Sheriff-Coroner.

"The lawsuit alleges that during the course ofLt. Hunt's political campaign during 20052006, Lt. Hunt issued public statements, radio addresses, press releases and disseminated campaign literature critical of the performance of Carona in his duties as Sheriff as well as addressing relevant law enforcement issues in the community," said Richard A. Levine, an attorney representing Lt. Hunt.

The day after the election, on June 7, 2006, Mike Carona placed Lt. Hunt on administrative leave pending a personnel investigation into his speech and conduct during the election campaign. On October 31, 2006, following a five month placement of Lt. Hunt on administrative leave pending investigation, Hunt was served a Notice of Pending Demotion which proposed to demote him from Lieutenant to Deputy Sheriff II based upon alleged violation of the Department's Manual of Rules and Regulations, specifically based upon the content of Hunt's campaign communications. On December 22,2006, Hunt was served with a Notice of Demotion which demoted him from Lieutenant to Deputy Sheriff II effective December 26, 2006, a 3 rank demotion, and ending his assignment as Police Services Chief for the City of San Clemente. "We will be demonstrating that Carona's action was a case of political vindictiveness at its worst, and regretfully at the taxpayer's expense," said Levine.

For trying to protect the public from wrongdoing, as he has done throughout his 22-year distinguished career as a decorated Orange County Sheriffs Deputy, Bill Hunt has been retaliated against, publicly humiliated by being relieved of his responsibilities as the Sheriffs Department Police Services Chief for the City of San Clemente and thereafter demoted.

At all times during his tenure as a Lieutenant, Hunt performed satisfactorily and he received commendations from commuuity leaders and members of the public, including a resolution adopted on Juue 12,2006 by the City Couucil of the City of San Clemente recognizing Lt. Huut as an "exemplary representative of the Orange Couuty Sheriffs Department and has done an exceptional job of supervising law enforcement activities for the City of San Clemente."

The facts of the case are straightforward. On July 12,1985, William Huut began working as a Deputy Sheriff for Orange County. In August, 1993, Hunt was promoted to Investigator and in March, 1996 Huut was promoted to Sergeant. In July 2002, Huut was promoted to Lieutenant and on May 16, 2003 was assigned as the Police Services Chief for the City of San Clemente. During this assignment Hunt was responsible for directing Orange County Sheriffs Department services and day-to-day law enforcement operations within the City of San Clemente. In the election held Juue 6, 2006, Hunt received 26.5% of votes to SheriffCarona's 50.9% of votes.

The demotion resulted in a salary reduction of approximately $46,000.00 per year, diminution of monetary benefits and other conditions of employment, reduction of prospective retirement compensation, in addition to the personal and professional humiliation and indignity resulting removal from of his duties as Police Services Chief for the City of San Clemente. According to the lawsuit, Huut's demotion from Lieutenant to Deputy Sheriff II [and permanent reassignment as Police Services Chief for the City of San Clemente] constituted intolerable and discriminatory working conditions constituting constructive discharge by resignation on December 22, 2006 resulting in the aggravation of monetary damages in excess of $72,979.00 per year.

The suit seeks compensatory damages for violation of Hunt's constitutional and statutory rights, including humiliation, indignity, and loss of professional and personal reputation. The lawsuit also seeks injunctive relief to restore Plaintiff to his rightful position as Lieutenant in the Orange County Sheriffs Department and restoration to his assignment as Police Services Chief for the City of San Clemente.