A former Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy has won a court battle over his firing.
Former Deputy Dan Minten claims he was wrongfully fired in 2010 from his position by Osceola County Sheriff Doug Weber after Minten offered to testify in a case against Weber.
US District Court Judge Mark Bennett agrees. He issued a summary judgment in favor of Minten on Thursday (12/22). The case next goes to a jury, so they can decide how much in monetary damages will be awarded to Minten. That trial is scheduled for February 6.
Judge Bennet found that Sheriff Weber fired Minten after Minten made a traffic stop of Emily Dorr, in which he told Dorr that he would be willing to testify against the Sheriff in her father’s case against the sheriff.
That lawsuit claimed that Weber discriminated against Paul Dorr and his son Alexander by not issuing them concealed weapons permits. The Dorr’s won the suit in July 2010.
Judge Bennett says that Minten’s offer to testify was protected speech, and his firing was at least due in part to that speech. Therefore, he ruled that Weber’s firing of Minten was a violation of Minten’s first amendment rights.
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