A circuit judge has dismissed a former Waynesboro police officer’s $1.85 million lawsuit against the city and its former police chief.

Michael Martin’s lawsuit seeking damages over wrongful termination and reinstatement to his former job as a captain was dismissed in Waynesboro Circuit Court July 18 by Judge Paul Peatross.

Augusta deputies hit with $3M lawsuit for bloody violence after 2023 arrest

The judge ruled that the city of Waynesboro and former Police Chief Michael Wilhelm had sovereign immunity protection from the suit. The judge also granted a summary judgment for Wilhelm regarding an allegation of retaliatory action alleged by Martin. The judge ruled that Wilhelm was not Martin’s employer.

Martin’s attorney, Barry Montgomery of Richmond, objected to the judge’s ruling, saying

See Full Page