A former deputy has filed a federal civil lawsuit against Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley, claiming the sheriff made defamatory comments that cost the deputy a job with another department.

Cory W. Goecks was a deputy with the Darlington-based Sheriff’s Department from 1997 to 2005 and was forced to resign due to an injury. According to the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Madison, Goecks, who now lives in Texas, was being considered for a job as an officer with the Shullsburg Police Department in southern Lafayette County. The lawsuit contends that during a background check of Goecks, Pedley allegedly told Shullsburg officials that Goecks abused sick time, was a thief and was being investigated for unemployment fraud. Goecks has denied the allegations.

Pedley, according to the complaint, also threatened to stop county-provided dispatch services to Shullsburg and would forbid Shullsburg police from using the county jail if Goecks was hired. The complaint contends that Pedley’s conduct "stigmatized" Goecks and has prevented him from finding employment as a police officer.

Pedley, in his 20th year as sheriff, said the case has been referred to the county’s insurance carrier. "The allegations contained (in the complaint) are incredibly inaccurate," Pedley said.