'Union-busting' accusations follow South Dakota sheriff's firing of deputies heading labor talks

Government employees labor group alleges political retribution in federal complaint against Union County Sheriff Jim Prouty

Former Union County Sheriff’s Deputies Zach Brown (top left) and Kevin O’Mahoney (bottom left) say their rights were violated earlier this month when Sheriff Jim Prouty (right) force them to resign following the June 2 primary election.

A top southeast South Dakota lawman is accused of retaliatorily firing two deputies who had been leading employee contract negotiations with the sheriff’s office where they worked.

At least one of the now-former deputies says he was also dismissed for supporting the wrong candidate in Union County’s recent Republican primary election for sheriff.

“I was getting punished for my political beliefs,” former deputy Zach Brown said.