Jackson County to pay $5.3 million for age discrimination

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Jackson County will pay $5.3 million to a former sheriff’s deputy who alleged he was fired because of his age and health conditions.

The county legislature voted Monday to settle the lawsuit filed by Doug Caster, who was fired in December 2015.

Caster alleged he and other senior deputies were targeted by former Sheriff Mike Sharp and undersheriff Hugh Mills.

Caster, who was 59 at the time, said he also was targeted because he had to take sick leave to treat his diabetes.

In its response to the lawsuit, the county had denied the allegations and said Caster was fired for rules violations.