Sheriff Jim Matthews is facing his fifth lawsuit in the last year over statements he made just after he was elected to office.
You may remember, former Sheriff Stephen McCaskill filed his suit against Matthews last summer.
This latest lawsuit was filed Friday on behalf of former Chief Magistrate Gene Hartis. Hartis is suing Matthews for defamation -- the same complaint as McCaskill.
In fact, there are three other current and former Kershaw County employees who have similar lawsuits against the sheriff. That's five pending lawsuits, now totaling $12 million.
Matthews says he's not worried about any of the lawsuits.
"I've actually lost no sleep over it because I don't think they have any merit," Matthews said. "I'm taking them seriously, but I'm really not concerned because this is a free country and you're still allowed to speak. And I spoke the truth."
In the lawsuit, Hartis claims in January of 2011 at a county council meeting, Matthews told council members the Kershaw County Magistrate's Office had misused victim's advocate funds.
"Everything I said is on the record," Matthews said. "It conflicts with what has been alleged in these complaints."
Both McCaskill and Hartis claim these accusations are false and as a result, they boy have severely damaged reputations, are suffering emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and a potential loss of money.
Hartis also says political backlash from Matthews' statements forced him to resign his position as chief judge.
"It's definitely personal," Matthews said. "It's business as usual in Kershaw County by a group of people who were once in power and who are no longer in power and they're trying to punish me with lawsuits."
Matthews says taxpayers are also getting punished by the lawsuits. Hartis is asking for $4 million plus court fees.
"I don't know if it's designed to enhance somebody's retirement pay or what, but I won't let this distract me from the job the people have elected me to do and that's provide law enforcement for this county," Matthews said.
Hartis declined to speak with us for this story. A call has also been placed with his attorney for a statement.
All of the lawsuits are still pending.
Matthews has mediation on the first four suits in August. He says he's prepared to fight because he believes settling will only give way to more lawsuits.
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