Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a petition from the Bristol County, Mass., sheriff, who appealed a ruling that he had violated the free speech rights of five guards he suspended for doing union-related work while on the job.

The Supreme Court denied the petition on Monday without explanation.

The guards were suspended in 2000. They sued Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and won nearly $18,000.

Hodgson claimed he was trying to maintain discipline and public safety, because some of the guards had left open a gate at a county jail. He said Tuesday that while he disagrees with the recent ruling, he must obey it.

The guards' lawyer, Philip Beauregard, says his clients have a constitutional right to voice their opinions. He says the legal battle has cost the public more than $1 million.

-- The Associated Press

 Tags  Massachusetts U.S. Supreme Court

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