Sheriff Resigns After Being Accused Of Seeking Marijuana

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Ala. (AP) – A north Alabama sheriff has resigned after being accused in a lawsuit of pressuring deputies to give him marijuana.

Winston County Sheriff Hobby Walker stepped down, and Coroner Larry Gilliland was sworn in Wednesday to replace him.

Walker hasn’t commented publicly on his resignation, which comes weeks after two former deputies filed suit claiming Walker asked them for marijuana for his cancer-stricken aunt.

The former deputies claim they were fired to refusing to provide drugs to Walker. They are suing Walker and Winston County, which is asking a judge to throw out the lawsuit.

A defense motion says Walker can’t be sued because of his position as sheriff. The defense also calls the claims frivolous.

A hearing is set for March 17 in Double Springs.