Judge rules for Lee Sheriff in ‘donning and doffing’ suit

FORT MYERS, Fla. A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in what became known as the “donning and doffing” lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed in September 2014 on behalf of four deputies seeking to be paid from the time they dressed for work until the time they undressed, the sheriff’s office said. The deputies’ attorneys pushed for a class action lawsuit and indicated to several media outlets the lawsuit could spike to “more than $20 million dollars.”

United State District Court Judge Paul Magnuson denied the deputies’ motions for Summary Judgment and Class Certification of wage claims asserted under Florida law.

“I have great respect for each and every member of this agency,” Scott said. “However, frivolous lawsuits like this are distractions constructed by a few disgruntled, misguided individuals who attempt to speak on behalf of the majority who are not necessarily of similar ilk. I’m glad the federal court saw this case for what it was and dismissed it.”

Attorney Ben Yormack, who represents the deputies, indicated they would appeal.

“While we are disappointed in this decision, it is certainly not the end of the line,” Yormack said in a statement. “There’s a difference between being legally right and morally right. Through the appeal of this decision, we intend to reconcile those two concepts and get our good law enforcement officers the wages they deserve.”

Below is a copy of the judge’s ruling: