By: Tracy Sanders
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, a legal battle is unfolding that goes beyond the courtroom. Robert “Bobby” Edwards, a former educator, is not only pursuing legal action against RD Anderson Applied Technology Center and various individuals, including school district superintendents, alleging defamation, breach of contract, and other misconduct, but he is also running for a seat on the School Board in District Four.
In an amended complaint, Robert “Bobby” Edwards VS Rd Anderson Applied Technology Center, defendant, et al, filed on January 12, 2023, Edwards outlines the events that led to the lawsuit and the damages he claims to have suffered.
The information contained below is a summary of the amended complaint filed on January 12, 2023, by the plaintiff, Bobby Edwards, against the defendants RD Anderson Applied Technology Center; Dr. Rallie Liston, Superintendent of Spartanburg School District Four, Dr. Randall Gary, Superintendent of Spartanburg School District Five, and Dr. Darryl Owings Superintendent of Spartanburg School District Six.
These are Mr. Edwards’ allegations, and any information relating to the events that took place, including accusations of false statements, is from his point of view.
Background:
– Edwards began his teaching career in 1993 and later became an administrator.
– He had a long, unblemished tenure with no substantial disciplinary actions and consistently received positive performance reviews.
– Edwards was employed as the Assistant Director of RD Anderson Applied Technology Center.
The Allegations from Mr. Edwards’ Perspective:
– According to Mr. Edwards, the events in question unfolded on September 16, 2021. Allegedly, he noticed an external hard drive containing personal and confidential data on the desk of his supervisor, Sherri Yarborough.
– Claiming to be concerned about the security of the hard drive, Mr. Edwards asserted that he contacted the school’s Information Technology Director for guidance.
– He purportedly followed the IT director’s advice to secure the hard drive in a locked location, initially his own office.
– Later, Mr. Edwards asserted that he moved the hard drive to a more secure room with a lockable filing cabinet.
– He contended that three employees had keys to the room and cabinet, and the secretary to Yarborough was allegedly informed of the hard drive’s new location.
– As Mr. Edwards tells it, his actions with a separate hard drive, similar to Yarborough’s, raised suspicion among colleagues that he was tampering with her hard drive.
– Allegedly, a report was made, leading to Mr. Edwards being placed on administrative leave on September 16, 2021.
– He claimed that he was escorted off the property in front of students and staff.
– Subsequently, Mr. Edwards maintains that the school district reported allegations of potential criminal conduct to the local sheriff’s office.
– According to Mr. Edwards, he was later contacted by school district officials, including Dr. Rallie Liston, who purportedly urged him to resign and suggested he cite his multiple sclerosis as the reason.
– Allegedly, Mr. Edwards submitted his resignation, citing his health condition.
– The school district later purportedly confirmed that Yarborough’s hard drive had not been accessed by Mr. Edwards.
– Nonetheless, as Mr. Edwards sees it, false allegations continued to circulate, allegedly damaging his reputation.
Causes of Action:
– Edwards’ lawsuit includes claims of defamation against RD Anderson Applied Technology Center and the named individuals, alleging that false statements caused reputational harm.
– Breach of contract against the school district, citing that Edwards was unfairly placed on administrative leave and coerced into resigning.
– Abuse of process for using legal procedures improperly to justify Edwards’ resignation.
– Negligent misrepresentation, asserting that the defendants made false representations that led to Edwards’ resignation under false pretenses.
Prayer for Relief (plaintiff’s request from court):
– Edwards seeks actual and punitive damages, attorney fees, and costs, along with prejudgment interest, equitable relief in the form of a public apology and admission of wrongdoing, and any other relief deemed just and proper by the court.
Summary of the defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s complaint
The Defendants are making several arguments in their defense. They say that the Plaintiff’s legal claims are not valid and the Plaintiff didn’t do enough to lessen their own damages. They also argue that the Plaintiff didn’t go through the required administrative processes and that they are protected from being sued under a law called the South Carolina Tort Claims Act.
Additionally, they’re saying that they shouldn’t be held responsible for punitive damages (extra penalties) because what they said is true. They claim that they had a qualified privilege to make the statements they did. Finally, they’re using other legal arguments to defend themselves.
The lawsuit has attracted attention in the local community, raising questions about the school district’s handling of the situation and its impact on an educator’s reputation and career.
For more details, you can look up the court case on the South Carolina Courts website at sccourts.org.
Author: Tracy Sanders
