The Limestone County Commission on Monday approved part of an agreement to settle a federal sexual discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Sheriff's Office employee.

Commissioners voted unanimously to expend $25,000 as part of the agreement. The funds will be pulled from the county's general fund.

Neither Commission Chairman Collin Daly or county attorney Mark Maclin would offer details about the county's settlement with Leslie Ramsey, a 15-year Sheriff's Office employee who filed the lawsuit in January 2019 against Sheriff Mike Blakely, Chief Deputy Fred Sloss, the County Commission and Daly.

The commission resolution said the $25,000 was “in the defense of the Commission and to defray and resolve any further costs of litigation against the Commission.” Maclin told commissioners all other terms of the agreement would be settled in mediation.

After the meeting, Maclin said he could not comment on the status of the case or whether it had been fully settled. He explained the commission's action on Monday represented a step in the timeline of the resolution.

Ramsey's lawsuit was settled last month through mediation, though information about the settlement has not been made public. A request for comment from Ramsey's attorney was not answered Monday.

Ramsey’s lawsuit alleged she was sexually assaulted by Sloss and faced retaliation and demotion when she filed a complaint. In September, Blakely terminated Ramsey’s employment. She appealed the termination, but the commission upheld Blakely’s decision.

Written by The News Courier and distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.