Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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Judge denies Florence County Sheriff's request in slander lawsuit against him
Posted: 03.06.2013 at 4:49 PM
Tonya Brown

Tonya has been reporting stories happening in the Pee Dee for more than 10 years.

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Judge William Seals issued an order this week denying Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone's motion to deposit the judgement with the Florence County Clerk of Court and halt any interest on it.

That means the amount of the judgement would increase as the appeals process continues.

In December, a jury awarded $125,000 to Phil Hanna in his lawsuit against Boone.

Hanna worked for the sheriff's office for 18 years until he was fired in 2008.

Hanna accused Boone of using his power as sheriff to stop Hanna from getting a job with the Florence County Magistrate's Office.

A jury sided with Hanna on the accusation of tortuous interference.

Hanna's attorney released a statement on Seals' decision denying Boone's request to deposit judgement without accruing interest.

"Mr. Hanna is thankful for the Court's decision denying Sheriff Boone's attempt to avoid paying interest on the jury's award while challenging that award through an appeal. Mr. Hanna agrees with the Court that granting such a motion would have led to inherent unfairness. If Sheriff Boone continues to pursue an appeal, Mr. Hanna is confident the jury's decision will be affirmed and is grateful that the jury's award will now be preserved through the accrual of post-judgment interest.without accruing interest," said Patrick McLaughlin, Attorney for Phil Hanna.

Florence County Attorney Malloy McEachin says the State Insurance Reserve Fund will be used to pay the $125,000 awarded to Hanna.

Boone won't pay the money out of his own pocket because he was acting in his role as sheriff. Florence County pays a premium every year to the fund for coverage of lawsuits and other matters, according to McEachin.

Boone's attorneys have filed a notice of intent to appeal the jury's verdict.

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