Donnelly v. Almond

OPINION

This case involves wrongful-discharge claims filed by the plaintiff, Donald J. Don-nelly, against various state officials. 1 Alleging that he had acquired “full status,” G.L. 1956 § 36-5-7(a), 2 in his position as chief deputy sheriff, the plaintiff contends that the defendant sheriff of Newport County, Norman J. Faria, should not have placed him on “layoff status” in 1991 because of a “severe shortage of funds.” The plaintiff sought below, inter alia, declaratory relief, injunctive relief, reinstatement, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and a writ of mandamus ordering the…