Judge Dismisses Former Aide's Case Against Leopold

A woman who claims she was wrongfully terminated by former Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold says she was denied justice after a federal judge tossed out the case.

Joan Harris filed a civil discrimination lawsuit against Leopold in 2012, the Capital-Gazette reports. She was fired in November 2010, one day after Leopold’s re-election for a second term.

Harris claims she was fired because she refused to help with Leopold’s re-election campaign.

U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake ruled the case did not warrant a trial because Harris’ position as “personal staff” does not allow her to file under discrimination, the news outlet reports.

Leopold was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in January 2013 for forcing on-duty police officers to do his campaign work and compiling files on political opponents who ran against him.

During the trial in January 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Sweeney also admonished Leopold for making his officers and his scheduling secretary, Patty Medlin, empty urine from a catheter bag strapped to his ankle.

“[It] demonstrates an overbearing arrogance and sense of entitlement that is unworthy of someone who is supposed to be a public servant,” Sweeney said.

Leopold resigned from office in February 2013.

>>Former county executive John R. Leopold. File|Patch

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