Sheriff Appeals $15M Discrimination Verdict, Appeal Placed on Hold as Court Weighs Post-Trial Motions

GAINESVILLE – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is formally appealing a jury’s $15 million verdict awarded to one of its own employees in a workplace reverse discrimination case — but the appeal has been placed on hold while the trial court considers a series of post-trial motions that could upend the entire outcome.

On March 28, 2025, new attorneys, Sniffen & Spellman, P.A., for Sheriff Chad D. Scott filed a Notice of Appeal to Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn a February verdict that awarded $15,115,724 to Sgt. Kevin Davis, who claimed he was the victim of racial discrimination and retaliation despite being a white employee.

But just days later, on April 2, the appellate court issued an order holding the appeal in abeyance, citing pending motions still under review in the lower court. The court instructed the Sheriff’s legal team to provide updates every 30 days or risk dismissal of the appeal.

$15 Million Verdict Draws Scrutiny

The jury’s verdict, delivered on February 7, 2025, included $115,724 for lost wages and a striking $15 million for emotional distress. Davis, who remains employed by the Sheriff’s Office, argued that he faced years of retaliation and career stagnation due to his support of Black colleagues and internal complaints. The case drew widespread attention, in part because it involved a white plaintiff alleging racial bias within a law enforcement agency.

The award was finalized in a Feb. 28 judgment signed by Circuit Judge Gloria R. Walker.

However, attorneys for the Sheriff’s Office argue that the verdict was legally flawed, factually unsupported, and improperly influenced by emotion. In motions filed shortly after the verdict, the defense called the damages “grossly excessive” and asked the court to either set aside the verdict, order a new trial, or reduce the award to more appropriate figures.

Motion Hearing Scheduled for July

A July 15, 2025 hearing has been scheduled to address the pending motions. According to a court notice filed March 20, attorneys will argue for a directed verdict in favor of the Sheriff, or in the alternative, a new trial and a remittitur to reduce damages. The hearing is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Alachua County Courthouse in Gainesville, before Judge Walker.

The defense contends that Davis’s claims of emotional distress were never corroborated by medical records or expert testimony and included only generalized statements about stress, sleep issues, and blood pressure concerns.

“The evidence presented provides little detail of the duration, severity or consequences of the condition,” the motion states.

The Sheriff's legal team argues that if any damages are to be awarded, they should not exceed $30,000 for emotional distress and $16,457 for lost wages, referencing their interpretation of the plaintiff’s own expert analysis.

Statutory Limits and Legal Challenges

The Sheriff’s Office argues that damage caps under Title VII and Florida’s Civil Rights Act — $300,000 and $200,000 respectively — should apply. While Section 1981 claims are uncapped, they say the evidence justifies only a nominal award.

Attorneys also point to several trial errors, including hearsay, irrelevant testimony about unrelated employee behavior, and improper jury instructions. They claim the jury was misled, particularly regarding the legal standard under Section 1983 and the requirement to prove an official discriminatory policy under the Monell doctrine.

What Next?

The July 15 hearing may determine whether the verdict is overturned, reduced, or sent back for a new trial. If the motions fail, the paused appeal may resume. The Sheriff’s Office has stated it will continue challenging the verdict.

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