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| Lawsuit filed against Madison County sheriff |
| By madisonjournaltoday.com |
| Published: 03/23/2012 |
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Madison County, GA -- Madison County Sheriff Kip Thomas is being sued by a local bail bondsman, who claims his constitutional rights were violated when the sheriff terminated his services for supporting Thomas’ opponent in the upcoming election. James H. Owens of Double “O” Bonding Co. filed suit in February in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, alleging that Thomas violated his First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment Rights. Owens received a letter from Thomas on Jan. 26, informing him that he was no longer approved as a bonding agency for the Madison County Jail. “This letter is to inform you that as of this date Double ‘O’ Bonding is no longer on the bonding list for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office,” Thomas wrote to Owens. “You are on my list of bonding companies and are supporting a candidate running for my office. This behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by me or any other sheriff for that fact. Good luck with your business.” Thomas’ attorney Ken Jones declined to comment on the allegations, but said a hearing on the case is set for March 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the federal court in Athens. Thomas said he has discretion on who can serve as a bail bondsman in Madison County. He noted that four agencies — not including Double “O” Bonding — currently serve in that capacity. “In his capacity as a bail bondsman, he works for the sheriff,” said Thomas. “He’s kind of like a subcontractor.” According to the suit, Double “O” Bonding Company earned “an estimated $5,000 per week” on Madison County bonding services. Owens’ attorney, Jim Smith of Athens, maintains that his client’s due process rights were violated, because his services were terminated “without notice or an opportunity to be heard.” Read More. |
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