Judge rules in favor of Roosevelt County

PORTALES — Keith Parrish has lost cases so far in state and federal courts, but the former corrections officer is not done with his claims that he was overworked and undercompensated while employed by Roosevelt County.

Late last month a judge ruled in favor of the Roosevelt County Board of Commissioners on Parrish’ civil complaint alleging breach of contract, but his attorney started the appeal just days later and still wants a trial on the matter, according to court records.

Eric Dixon wrote that Parrish was owed compensation for missed meals and breaks, holiday work and “on-call” time in an understaffed environment while working in 2015 at the Roosevelt County Detention Center. In the appeal, he disputed Judge Donna Mowrer’s assertion in the Oct. 26 summary judgment order that Parrish had breached his own contract by “failing to comply with the administrative grievance process.”

The development follows a related summary judgment in the county’s favor, when a U.S. District Judge ruled that Parrish “was an exempt salaried supervisor and that he was not eligible for over-time pay under the (Fair Labor Standards Act),” according to a news release Monday from a non-profit providing legal assistance and other services to the state’s 33 counties.

That association, known as New Mexico Counties, quoted Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton in its news release as stating that “these types of frivolous claims divert taxpayer dollars from vital projects such as roads and infrastructure...”

Dixon — who estimated Parrish’ outstanding compensation in excess of $40,000 — told The News he does not intend to appeal the federal court case, but felt “very confident” on his appeal in state court.