Laurens County Sheriff Ricky Chastain admits he had an affair with one of his employees but denies her claims of sexual harrassment.
In a response filed in district court Friday, Chastain said he did not force former employee Haley Manley to quit when she wouldn't have an abortion and is demanding proof of the claims.
In part of the response, Chastain admitted his affair with Manley began 2008 and that Manley told him she was pregnant in July of 2010, even though she was on birth control. Chastain said he drove Manley to the appointment she made in Charlotte for an abortion and gave her money but doesn't know what she did with it.
Chastain also admitted he wrote a check for $14,500 to Manley's grandfather in July of 2010 as a loan to Manley and he admits that he knew she got pregnant again in September of 2010. He said shortly after told her he wanted to end their personal relationship.
Chastain denied that he ever got Manley pregnant, that he told her she would have to resign if she kept the first child, and that he told her to have an abortion when she got pregnant the second time or that he instructed his staff to make her resign.
Chastain's attorney, Russell Harter, declined to speak on camera or comment about the lawsuit.
Calls to Chastain made by 7 On Your Side were not returned.
The other sheriff's office defendants in the case deny any involvement.
Laurens County made a motion to dismiss the portion of the lawsuit against it saying Manley needs to sue under workmen's compensation.
The attorneys for the defendants in this case also asked for the case to be moved from district court to federal court. Manley's attorney, John Reckenbeil, told 7 On Your Side that means the case would be decided by a jury from all over the Upstate instead of only Laurens county.
7 On Your Side will continue to follow this story and will let you know what happens.
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