A former West Lowndes Middle School basketball coach has sued the school district and some of its officials for allegedly mishandling a sexual misconduct investigation.
Columbus resident Rickie L. Hill, who taught and coached both boys and girls, was told he was fired Dec. 2 for performance-related problems, he said today. But the actual reason, according to his complaint filed last week in U.S. District Court, was for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old female student.
Hill, who denies the charges, claimed District Superintendent Mike Halford, West Lowndes high and middle schools Athletic Director Roosevelt Bridges and others “did not substantiate the allegations of the female student.”
He also claims they violated his rights during their investigation.
Even though the investigation was supposed to be confidential, officials “published the allegations to district employees and students for non-investigatory nor non-work-related purposes,” Hill claims.
Bridges, who helped coach the basketball team after Hill was fired, may also have told a basketball player about the investigation, the suit alleges.
According to Hill”s complaint, a basketball player wrote on Facebook, “can”t believe my basketball coach slept with a 13 year old handicap gurl (sic) … Omggg smh (Oh my God, shaking my head) … Hope he die (sic) and rot in hell.” When asked how he found out, he replied, “Mr. Bridges.”
Officials also “demanded” that Hill undergo tests for sexually transmitted diseases or lose his job, the complaint states.
Hill, an at-will employee, said in the complaint that the district should have had a name-clearing hearing when the tests proved he was disease-free.
The complaint alleges that school officials violated Hill”s due-process rights, his right to privacy, his right against unreasonable searches and seizures and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
For those alleged offenses, Hill is asking for his job back, back pay, economic damages for his lost pay, fringe benefits and promotional opportunities.
He is also seeking compensatory and punitive damages for “intentional violations of his constitutionally protected rights in an amount to be determined by a jury of his peers,” the complaint states.
Hill referred questions about his case to his Jackson-based attorney, Lisa M. Ross, who could not be reached for comment.
Halford also did not return calls.
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