Former assistant superintendent Andy Jones was reassigned after an independent investigation of a teacher’s claim she was sexually harassed concluded that “at the very least, poor judgement was exercised” by Jones, school district attorneys said Thursday.

In a response filed Thursday afternoon to a recently filed lawsuit by Jones against the school district, the district’s attorneys state Spartanburg attorney Ken Darr was asked by the school district to investigate a written complaint Feb. 24 made by special education teacher Jenny Stroupe.

Jones filed a $4 million lawsuit June 4 against the Cherokee County School District, interim superintendent Kim Bagwell, Stroupe, associate superintendent Carlotta Redish, school board chairman Billy Blackwell and school board members Amanda Knowles, Robin Duncan- Harper and Lindley Auton.

According to the district’s lawsuit response, Stroupe submitted a written complaint in which she claimed she was sexually harassed by Jones through e-mails, telephone, in person and by messages delivered by other district employees.

“According to Stroupe’s written complaint, Plaintiff’s harassment included gestures that were sexual in nature, direct and indirect comments, gifts, and asking for sexual opportunities,” the school district’s lawsuit response states. “Stroupe also alleged that the harassment had been witnessed by (former Superintendent Dr. Bill) James and by Tracy Schultz, a teacher in the district. The Board was notified of the existence of Stroupe’s complaint because her allegations involved high-level school administrators.”

The school board retained Darr to investigate Stroupe’s complaint.

Jones was placed on administrative leave while the district investigated the sexual harassment claims made by Stroupe. Jones was replaced by Redish, who was permanently named in April as the district’s associate superintendent for administrative services and instruction.

Jones claimed in his lawsuit there was no merit to the sexual harassment charges and that he should have been reinstated to the assistant superintendent position.

“The written report prepared by Attorney Darr based on his investi- the hospital, but when that does happen, he is expected to face a number of charges. The Gaffney Police Department said in a press release Thursday that Johnson is facing charges of driving under suspension third or subsequent offense, resisting arrest, grand larceny, failure to stop for blue lights, possession of a stolen gun, possession of narcotics, and giving false information to police.

Gaffney Police said Johnson also could face charges from the Highway Patrol in connection with the wreck.

The incident unfolded Wednesday at 2:12 a.m. when City of Gaffney police officers conducting a public safety checkpoint at West Floyd Baker Boulevard and Beltline Road took a man, identified initially as Ronnie Tijuan Martin, into custody for driving under the influence.

In a press release concerning the event, Police Chief Rick Turner said the arrested driver was handcuffed behind his back and placed in the rear seat of an officer’s cruiser.

When officers returned to the arrested driver’s vehicle to secure the vehicle and a passenger, Turner said they saw that the subject had opened the rear door of the police vehicle and was getting into the front drivers seat.

“Subject had managed to lower the rear door window and reach outside and open the rear door,” Turner said. “Officers ran toward vehicle and attempted to open door as the subject sped away.”

One officer suffered a “minor” ankle injury during the attempt to stop Johnson at the scene, police said.

A chase ensued through several city streets.

On Highway 18/N. Limestone Street, police said the driver of the stolen police cruiser ran off the road several times and struck a pole and a curb, causing one or more tires on the police cruiser to deflate.

A short distance further, just past Upstate Carolina Medical Center, police said the driver of the stolen cruiser traveled into the opposing lanes of traffic. They said the man attempted to swerve from the path of an oncoming vehicle but lost control, spun around and struck a vehicle driven by Janice Downey, 62, of Gaffney.

Johnson was ejected from the cruiser and both cars ended up near the front of Burns Chevrolet. Johnson and Downey were both taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The S.C. Highway Patrol’s Multi-Discipline Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) spent hours at the crash site Wednesday, measuring roadway gouges, tire marks and plotting the location of debris from the wreck.

The wrecked cruiser was taken to the City of Gaffney’s Public Works garage, where it reportedly was examined in detail.