From left, former Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Rager and Sheriff Kyle Dukes.

WARSAW — A former Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy has filed paperwork with the county announcing plans to file suit against Sheriff Kyle Dukes over what is described in a letter as political “retaliation.”

Chris Rager and Dukes were among four candidates who ran for Sheriff in the 2018 Republican primary. Dukes won and replaced incumbent Rocky Goshert, who was also on the primary ballot.

Rager resigned from the department Aug. 5 after more than 19 years of service with the department. He’s currently employed with the county highway department.

The county was given formal notice of Rager’s plans to file suit in a letter stamped July 1. The letter was sent by the law firm, Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, South Bend, to Dukes, County Council President Sue Ann Mitchell and County Commissioners President Cary Groninger. 

The “notice of a tort claim” contends Rager was the subject of political retaliation and defamation by Dukes and the sheriff’s department as a result of incidents that began shortly after Dukes took office in January.

“Once Sheriff Dukes took over his position, Christopher Rager has experienced political retribution and has been singled out and disciplined. These actions constitute a violation of the First Amendment,” the letter said.

Rager was suspended for two weeks in May over several matters.

The letter also contends Rager’s personal health information was improperly released as part of a freedom of information act sought by an area media company, a move the letter claims violates federal health privacy rules.

Rager intends to seek an unspecified amount of damages as a result of personal damages and lost wages incurred, the letter said.

In the letter, Rager’s attorney, Daniel Pfeifer, asks for a response from the county.

“If we do not hear from you within 90 days from the date of this letter, I will presume that the claim has been denied and we will proceed with the filing of a lawsuit as allowed by the Indiana Tort Claims Act.

Dukes declined to comment for this story. Both Rager and Pfeifer declined comment.