KCBD, NewsChannel 11 Lubbock |District Court Judge Faces Allegations Of Wrongful Termination

District Court Judge Faces Allegations Of Wrongful Termination

Lawyers for District Court Judge Brad Underwood filed a response to allegations of wrongful termination of a county employee.

Judge Underwood's former Court Coordinator, Liz Overstreet, submitted the wrongful termination complaint to the Texas Work Force Commission in February.  NewsChannel 11 is told Overstreet also filed a complaint with the Texas Judicial Commission about the same time.

Overstreet claims she was wrongfully terminated after filing a sexual harassment complaint against Lubbock County Sheriff's Court Bailiff Leroy Morrison, allegedly for inappropriate hugging.

"Right now, I can't get into the specifics of the allegations, responses to the allegations and any support for either side, is covered under a confidentiality rules both by the state and judicial commission and TWC," says Shawn Twing, Judge Brad Underwood's Attorney.

Overstreet's lawyer was out of town and unable to be reached for comment.

In the documents, Overstreet states Judge Underwood wished she hadn't filed a formal complaint against Morrison. According to Overstreet, the next day Judge Underwood accused her of sexually harassing him.

"After reviewing the allegations and the facts, we are completely satisfied that Judge Underwood will be completely vindicated at the end of the process," says Twing.

Overstreet alleges Judge Underwood took retaliatory actions, making it impossible to work in the 364th District Court. E-mails between human recourses, the Lubbock County Director of Court Administration and Judge Underwood show she was told a job transfer wasn't an option.

The e-mails go on to state she should come back to work in the 364th District Court or Judge Underwood would be forced to consider her post abandoned. We're told Overstreet was terminated from her employment.

Apparently, it can take more than 6 months for the Texas Work Force Commission or Texas Judicial Commission to make a ruling.

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