JACKSON – A Jackson County Sheriff’s lieutenant is suing Jackson County alleging he was harassed for his hearing disability and retaliated against because he reported misconduct by Jackson County Sheriff Steven Rand. The lieutenant, Tommy Schuette, alleges that Rand would refer to him as “deaf and dumb” or “special needs,” on a daily basis, creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit also alleges that Rand is a “multifaceted bigot” who uttered “numerous slurs in the presence of many individuals” targeting gays, women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and the disabled. Schuette reported Rand’s conduct to county human resource director and county administrator/controller Michael Overton in a Jan. 17 meeting. In the meeting, Schuette played Overton recordings he had made of Rand using slurs. The lawsuit alleges that, instead of taking action against Rand, the County filed a false police report against Schuette. The litigation is ongoing. The lawsuit prompted calls from officials and citizens in Jackson County to have Sheriff Rand removed from office. You can read more about the effort to have Sheriff Rand removed at Petition language to recall sheriff ‘so close’ to passing, board member says – mlive.com. This case has been featured by numerous national and local media outlets. You can read the full story at Lieutenant accuses ‘bigot’ sheriff of disgusting behavior in shocking lawsuit (nypost.com)