Judge dismisses case against Langston

On July 23, Lincoln County District Court dismissed Chrystal Stacy’s claims in Chrystal Stacy v. Stormy Langston and Lincoln County. The order was entered pursuant to the settlement reached in that case on July 15. 

 Chrystal Stacy filed a lawsuit on June 29, 2012, arising out of an employment she had with the Lincoln County Justice Court in Eureka. Stacy alleged her supervisor, Justice of the Peace Stormy Langston, terminated Stacy in retaliation for Stacy’s grievances made regarding a hostile work environment.  Stacy also alleged Langston made false and maligning statements to the Tobacco Valley News about Stacy’s employment.  

Stacy also alleged Lincoln County constructively discharged Stacy when Stacy would not return to work on July 26, 2011 under a performance improvement plan. 

Langston and Lincoln County disputed Stacy’s allegations. 

 On July 15, 2014, Stacy, Langston, and Lincoln County agreed to settle all Stacy’s claims for $50,000, of which $25,000 was allocated to Stacy’s libel and slander claims against Langston and $25,000 was allocated to Stacy’s wrongful discharge claims against Langston and Lincoln County.  

Lincoln County’s insurer, Montana Association of Counties, contested whether it was obligated to cover the claims alleged against Langston because her alleged actions were taken outside the scope of her duties as Lincoln County Justice of the Peace but Montana Association of Counties ultimately agreed to pay the full settlement amount.  

In a press release yesterday, Lincoln County Commissioner Tony Berget stated: “It is unfortunate we were facing this lawsuit in the first place, but we are pleased it has been resolved.”