Ohio police sergeant files a lawsuit accusing his chief of retaliation, discrimination and misconduct

on January 29, 2026

Sgt. Gregory Kerr of Shaker Heights says in his lawsuit filed last Wednesday that Chief Wayne Hudson blocked him from training, cut off his overtime and outside work and disciplined him repeatedly without cause, according to the complaint filed Friday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He says those actions cost him more than $100,000.

Kerr also alleges that Hudson passed him over twice for promotion to lieutenant, even though he was next in line. Upon questioning, Chief Hudson said city policy prevented him from commenting on the lawsuit.

“In the future, when everything can be made clear, I think there will be a better understanding of what happened,” Hudson told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

Kerr’s attorney, Craig Bashein, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Several of Kerr’s disciplinary actions — including a demotion — were later overturned by an arbitrator, according to the complaint. Kerr says Hudson kept retaliating anyway.

One incident stands out. In July 2025, Kerr says he returned to his cruiser and found Hudson’s loaded Glock on his duty bag, pointed at the driver’s seat.

Kerr says the cruiser had been locked and he took the incident as a threat. It happened the day after an arbitration hearing.

Kerr also accuses Hudson of making traffic stops before he was certified as an Ohio officer and ordering others to issue tickets for violations they didn’t witness. Adding that other officers involved in more serious misconduct faced lesser discipline, while he was singled out.

After he was reinstated as sergeant in December 2025, Kerr says Hudson reassigned him to a desk job with no supervisory duties and continued blocking him from overtime opportunities.

The lawsuit, which also names the city, includes claims of intimidation, falsification, discrimination, defamation and negligent supervision. Kerr is seeking compensatory and punitive damages through a jury trial.

Case Information

Case No.: CV-26-131363

Case Title: R. GREGORY KERR vs. WAYNE D. HUDSON, ET AL

Case Designation: TORT-MISCELLANEOUS

Filing Date: 01/16/2026

Causes of Action

Discrimination in employment laws make it illegal for employers to treat applicants or employees unfairly based on protected characteristics like race, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Enforced primarily by the EEOC, these laws cover hiring, pay, promotions, and harassment, generally applying to employers with 15 or more employees.

Defamation occurs when an employer makes a false, public statement (libel if written, slander if oral) that damages an employee's reputation, professional standing, or career prospects, such as by providing false, malicious references. To succeed, employees must prove the statement was false, caused harm, and was not privileged.

Intimidation in employment law involves threats, abuse, or coercive behavior by employers or coworkers that create a hostile work environment or force employees to endure illegal conditions. It is a form of harassment, often including physical threats, screaming, or sabotaging work, and is actionable if severe, pervasive, or based on protected characteristics.

Falsification in employment law involves intentionally making false statements, concealing material facts, or forging documents (e.g., applications, timecards) during hiring or employment, generally constituting misconduct. It is grounds for immediate termination or withdrawal of job offers. While often employee-driven, it can also refer to employer fraud regarding wages or safety.

Negligent supervision occurs when an employer fails to reasonably monitor or control an employee’s actions, resulting in harm to a third party or co-worker. It arises when employers know, or should have known, of an employee’s lack of adequate training but fail to take corrective action. This claim often hinges on proving a breach of duty in training or oversight.