Bluffton police officer sues boss, town manager

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — A Bluffton police has sued his boss and the town manager, saying he was punished for filing a complaint against the chief.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reported (http://bit.ly/MDdEjV) that Christian Gonzales sued, saying his complaints of harassment and workplace violence against Chief David McAllister were not taken seriously.

Gonzales says he was unfairly suspended, demoted and given a pay cut in retaliation for complaining about his boss to town manager Anthony Barrett. The lawsuit also accuses McAllister of pushing Gonzales.

Town manager Anthony Barrett denies the lawsuit claims. Barrett says the claims were investigated and found to be without merit. Barrett says the sanctions against Gonzales were justified because he had filed a false complaint against his boss.

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Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com