Dave Chesney, a Claiborne County school board member, was sued in May 2010 by Darrell E. Johnson, who was the schools’ maintenance worker at the time.
In a case that recently regained public attention, Dave Chesney, a sitting member of the Claiborne County School Board, was named in a civil lawsuit filed in May 2010. The suit was brought by Darrell E. Johnson, who worked at the time as a maintenance employee within the school system.
According to official court documents, Johnson accused Chesney of conduct that allegedly created a hostile work environment. The details of the case, while not widely publicized at the time, included claims of unfair treatment and retaliation—issues that sparked concern among local educators and parents alike.
The case was filed in Claiborne County Circuit Court, where Johnson sought damages on the grounds of workplace discrimination and personal distress. While records show the case did not go to trial, it raised questions about the internal politics of the school board and the accountability of its members.
When asked for comment, representatives for Dave Chesney did not respond, and it remains unclear how the incident may have influenced his role or future elections.
The resurfacing of this lawsuit has reignited discussions in the community about transparency in school governance and the vetting of public officials. While the incident is now over a decade old, its reemergence in public discourse signals that for many, the past is not easily forgotten.