Local 24 news has uncovered audio recordings that reveal how difficult it can be for women to say “times up,” especially when your boss is a high-ranking officer with ambitions of being county sheriff.
Shelby County Chief Deputy Floyd Bonner’s accuser says he went too far, sending her inappropriate emails and texts and unwanted hugs, and even a kiss.
The case started six years ago, long before there was a #MeToo movement. Erica Bills claims the retaliation is still going on.
Feeling frustrated, she recorded conversations between her and county and federal investigators. They are conversations you’ll only hear on Local 24 News.
“He grabbed my arms and he tried to kiss me. I said, ‘Chief I am not like that. I’m not going to do anything with you.’ Then he grabbed my face and said, ‘just give me a peck it’s no big deal,’” said Erica Bills during a recording. The former secretary described what she says happened with Bonner to a federal investigator with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
According to her lawsuit, Bills says there was aggressive flirting and demands for hugs. She also says there were inappropriate emails and texts.
Bills first filed her complaint in November 2012. She says the county didn’t really start its investigation until the next month, on the same day Bonner went on pre-scheduled medical leave that lasted more than 4 months. With Bonner off work, county investigators made little progress.
In fact, when she told one investigator she felt this case was being treated differently than other complaints, on the recording he said this: “I agree, and I think they are making an effort to perceive that it’s being treated that way, but no it’s not, I know it’s not.”
According to the recordings, at one point, Shelby County Human Resources Administrator Mike Lewis gets involved with the investigation.
When Bills asked the investigator why Lewis was involved, he said this: “I think some need some sensitivity. I think this is one of them, not only the potential newsworthy cases, that can be gone overboard with a leak to anybody.”
Then he says this about Lewis and the investigation: “He is very conflicted. I’ll put it like this. He opened my eyes to a situation I didn’t even see. I don’t know who has had his hands tied.” The investigator goes on: “The sensitivity of this is that Chief Bonner is well-liked.”
The Local I-Team has obtained a copy of the county’s final report. It mentions emails between Bonner and Bills contradict statements made by Bonner during his interview. It goes on to say, “while these email contradictions show no evidence of sexual harassment, the tone and word choices in the emails seem to suggest more than a casual friendly relationship between employees.”
Documents show Bonner was counseled, directed to take harassment training, and a formal write-up was placed in his file.
Bonner wants to leave it there, refusing to do an on-camera interview. His statement to the Local I-Team notes the case goes back to 2012, adding, “it was thoroughly investigated and not substantiated. The federal lawsuit involving the claim was dismissed in 2014.”
The case was dismissed, but on a technicality and never tried. A second amended complaint, citing the same allegations as the original, is now in federal court citing civil rights violations. Bills, who still works for the county, says it retaliated against her by passing her over for jobs since she first came forward.
The county says it won’t talk about the case because of the pending lawsuit, but outgoing Sheriff Bill Oldham stands by his man. He released a statement saying the man he chose to be second in command is an honorable and proven leader. Oldham has endorsed Bonner in the primary that’s about two months away.
