Jail supervisor sues after being arrested for cashing too many payroll checks

Jefferson Parish Jail food supervisor Isaac Cheatham, Jr. filed suit against CBM Food Services Corporation, XYZ Insurance Company on April 26 in the New Orleans federal court of the Eastern District of Louisiana, claiming he was wrongfully arrested for cashing too many payroll checks.

Cheatham received a computerized payroll check in June 2009, at his normal rate and appropriate salary, his suit claims. Cheatham cashed the check as customary but it was later determined that his employer had issued the incorrect amount of checks for the month. The employer contacted the police department and had Cheatham arrested and jailed for theft.

Cheatham claims his employer should have notified him of the error. He claims his employer acted unreasonably by notifying the police department that he had committed theft.

He is seeking more than $100,000 in damages for mental pain and anguish, physical pain and suffering, loss of earnings, medical expenses, living expenses and travel expenses, loss of reputation, public embarrassment, interest, and court costs.

Attorney James E. Shields, Jr. of Shields and Shields of Gretna is representing the plaintiff.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier is assigned to the case.

Case No 2:10cv01200