Two weeks ago, the Custer County Government was served its fifth federal lawsuit in the past year, when former Sergeant Jason Salbato filed a First Amendment and civil rights action against the Sheriffâs Office. Salbato added his suit to those of former Sheriff employees Megan Robbins and Bre Gasper. Another federal civil lawsuit filed by Stephanie Ybarra, a former janitor, has recently been allowed to continue after a federal judge earlier this month dismissed some claims and parties to the case, but allowed the core discrimination claims against the county to proceed. The three former employees of the Sheriffâs Office all claim that current Sheriff Rich Smith and former Undersheriff Susan Barnes endorsed discrimination against a female officer for her sexual orientation. Further, the plaintiffs,…
