Former Douglas County Undersheriff, Holly Kluth, settled a federal lawsuit against her former employer, former Sheriff Tony Spurlock, and the county for $1.75 million after claiming she was unlawfully fired in retaliation for political differences between them. Kluth, who also ran for Sheriff, alleged that she was demoted in 2020 and fired in 2021 without due process or consultation with other sheriff’s office leadership. The settlement, described as one of the largest in the state, reflects the validity of Kluth’s claims according to her attorneys.
The lawsuit mentioned political disagreements between Kluth and Spurlock, including her opposition to his support of “red flag laws” and his public endorsement of a political candidate. Spurlock, who is now chief of the Oklahoma City University campus police department, did not respond to requests for comment, while current Douglas County Sheriff declined to comment. The settlement was reached at the direction of outside counsel and the insurance company of Douglas County, with no admission of wrongdoing.
Kluth expressed gratitude for the support she received during the legal battle, including from friends, colleagues, attorneys, and her family. She thanked God for helping her through the difficult time. The resolution of the lawsuit brings closure to a contentious chapter in Kluth’s career, which had spanned four years of legal battles.
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