CBS Atlanta 46Clayton County Sheriff's Department fires Victor Hill's friend

The Clayton County Sheriff's Department fired a former deputy and friend of former Sheriff Victor Hill. The current Sheriff, Kem Kimbrough, said he dismissed Deputy Terry Lee because Lee violated department rules. Lee believes he was fired because of a political grudge Kimbrough has with Hill.

"It's only because I'm friends with Victor Hill," Lee said.

Lee's problems began last month, just days after a grand jury indicted Hill on corruption charges. Investigators at the Sheriff's Department brought in Lee, questioned him about his friendship with Hill and demanded his personal cell phone.

When Lee refused, they roughed him up, threw him in jail and charged him with obstruction, said Lee, a 25-year veteran in law enforcement.

"It's a nightmare that seems like it won't end," he said.

Lee told CBS Atlanta News that investigators from internal affairs called him in for a hearing last Friday and later told him they were firing him.

"It makes me angry," Lee said.

Lee's separation notice, attained by CBS Atlanta News, accuses Lee of lying and violating confidentiality and media-relations policies.

Lee said investigators accused him of being "untruthful," breaking the law by refusing to hand over his cell phone and for violating department policy for speaking with CBS Atlanta News in January just after his arrest. He said the department retaliated against him because he spoke.

Lee said Kimbrough targeted him for political reasons. Kimbrough will run against Hill in the sheriff's race later this year.

"If you don't like him that's your problem. I don't have anything to do with that," Lee said. "I'm suffering, my wife is suffering, my kids are suffering. I have to wonder how I'm going to provide for my family."

Keith Martin, Lee's attorney, said Kimbrough violated Lee's constitutional rights.

"Police officers and deputies don't leave their rights at the station door. Terry's rights were trampled upon," Martin said.

Lee wants to be vindicated.

"I want the people who violated my rights to be held accountable for their actions," he said.

Kimbrough would not speak with CBS Atlanta News on camera, but in a phone interview, he told us he did not fire Lee for political reasons. Kimbrough said Lee violated the rules and regulations of the department.

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