ST. LOUIS – A former deputy of the City of St. Louis Sheriff’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Alfred Montgomery on Monday, alleging the sheriff made false statements about the deputy’s termination online.

Last week, Tony Kirchner and attorneys Talmage Newton and Brandy Barth hosted a news conference and claimed that Montgomery forced the deputy to roll dice to keep his job.

Newton and Barth said Kirchner was fired after 12 years with the sheriff’s office as a result of “political collusion between the sheriff and First Ward [Alderwoman] Anne Schweitzer.”

“Montgomery was caught lying about forcing a 12-year veteran to ‘roll dice’ to keep his job,” Barth said. “Only when he became aware that the entire meeting was audio recorded did he admit to his behavior, but now tries to spin it as an act of compassion. It is an utterly ridiculous and stupid excuse for making an employee roll dice as if a man’s livelihood was a game of craps.”

Kirchner said he was called to meet with the sheriff and was told he needed to resign or be fired. Montgomery said Kirchner had been “campaigning on the job.” Kirchner had previously filed paperwork to run for a seat on the Board of Aldermen. His opponent? Anne Schweitzer.

Sheriff Montgomery showed Kirchner photos, provided by Alderwoman Schweitzer, of the deputy at a ward meeting.

Kirchner acknowledged he was wearing a sheriff’s office hat, but said he would attend meetings during off hours, and that the pictures were taken before he’d even filed to register for the election in mid-December. Kirchner had run for office two years prior, against Schweitzer.

He said Montgomery reached into his desk and produced a pair of gold dice, saying, “All the big dogs roll this,” adding Kirchner could keep his job if he rolled a 7. At first, Kirchner refused to oblige the sheriff. After some back and forth, Kirchner, feeling intimidated, said he grabbed the dice and rolled.

Kirchner rolled a combined 6 on his first attempt and a 7 on his second. The sheriff left the room and Kirchner felt the matter was now behind him. Days later, a reporter reached out to the deputy to ask about a statement saying he’d been fired.