JACKSON, MI - Jackson County officials deny any wrongdoing in a federal lawsuit filed against the county and Sheriff Steven Rand.

The lawsuit, filed by Lt. Tommy Schuette, alleges Rand is a "multifaceted bigot" who insulted blacks, women and Hispanics and mocked Schuette for his work-related hearing loss.

"Jackson County, like the public, is as shocked as anyone by these stunning allegations," the release states, in reference to the civil allegations.

The county had no knowledge of the situation before Jan. 17, the release states. Officials then immediately referred the matter to the Michigan State Police and Attorney General for an independent criminal investigation, according to the release.

The lawsuit mentions the Jan. 17 meeting between Schuette, County Administrator/Controller Mike Overton and Human Resources Director Richard Martonchik. Schuette played recordings from Rand and provided witness information, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit states they were only "minimally interested" and that Schuette never heard back from Overton or Martonchik.

Overton was instructed by the Michigan State Police not to go into details into the criminal investigation, he said Tuesday.

"The reason I hadn't said anything to anyone - commissioners or anyone else - is because it's a criminal matter and I was instructed not to," Overton said. "But now that it's a public matter, I've informed the commissioners what's going on. But at this point, it's still a criminal matter under investigation by the Michigan State Police"

Language from the lawsuit states Jackson County is saddling the long-term disability carrier with liability for Schuette's workers' compensation injuries.

County leadership also is refusing to address Rand's "egregious misconduct" to avoid accommodating Schuette and returning him to work and "doing the right thing with respect to Rand," according to the lawsuit.

While the county funds operations for the Sheriff's Office, it has "no legal source of authority to discipline the sheriff or his staff," according to the release.

"The County vehemently denies any wrongdoing associated with the events alleged in the lawsuit about the Sheriff's Office," the release states. "The allegations, if true, are absolutely abhorrent and represent conduct that is repugnant to Jackson County's commitment as clearly set out in its many employment policies and practices."