Mecklenburg County sheriff sued by former employee

MECKLENBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden is the subject of a federal lawsuit by former business operations director Angelia Riggsbee, who alleges she was fired last year as an act of retaliation.

A former member of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s executive team filed a federal lawsuit against Sheriff Garry McFadden.

Angelia Riggsbee was fired in November 2024 from her job as business operations director. According to the suit filed Sept. 12, she was sacked as reprisal for alerting McFadden to remedy pay disparities between a Black woman employee who earned less than white employees with less seniority and experience. 

Riggsbee’s suit seeks at least $75,000, back pay and reinstatement or compensation if she isn’t.

“This retaliation has shattered my life,” Riggsbee said last week at a press conference with her lawyers. “Because of the sheriff, I have suffered financially, mentally, and emotionally. My 35-year career and reputation were severely damaged. I am a single mother and a grandmother, but I have been unable to secure employment – despite my skills and many years of excellent performance. This has been one of the most difficult times of my life.”

Riggsbee was fired a month after chief deputy Kevin Canty resigned, alleging McFadden fostered a hostile work environment. Canty’s replacement, Chris Allen, was on the job eight months before quitting, citing the same allegation against McFadden. 

According to Riggsbee’s lawsuit, the salary disparities she flagged could lead to lawsuits against the department based on racial and gender bias. Canty, who was chief of staff at the time, approved a request to address the matter. McFadden blocked it, the lawsuit contends.

In an interview last year with WBTV, Canty said McFadden demanded he fire Riggsbee, but refused, asserting doing so lacked merit.

In addition to Riggsbee, who was hired in March 2024, McFadden fired another executive staff member last November – human resources director Alexis Pearson, a five-year employee of the agency. Both women reported directly to Canty. According to the lawsuit, McFadden referred to Riggsbee and Pearson as “problems” and ordered a 60-day “work plan” for Riggsbee.

Riggsbee’s lawsuit contends McFadden ordered her to alter financial records, but she refused because she believed it was illegal. The conflicts with McFadden, according to the suit, resulted in reprisals and ultimately her dismissal. 

“As a woman of resilience and as a woman of God, I look forward to our day in court,” Riggsbee said. “When the truth is seen by a jury and the court, I believe we will prevail. … I want to set the record straight and I want justice."

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