Case: Lesley v. Campbell County

1:25-cv-00100 | U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming

Filed Date: April 21, 2025

Closed Date: Oct. 9, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case concerns the alleged retaliatory termination of the former director of the Campbell County Public Library System after she opposed efforts to remove books addressing LGBTQ+ themes from the library’s collection. On April 21, 2025, the former Executive Director of the Campbell County Public Library System filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming against Campbell County, its Board of Commissioners, the Library System Board of Trustees, and six individuals in…

This case concerns the alleged retaliatory termination of the former director of the Campbell County Public Library System after she opposed efforts to remove books addressing LGBTQ+ themes from the library’s collection.

On April 21, 2025, the former Executive Director of the Campbell County Public Library System filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming against Campbell County, its Board of Commissioners, the Library System Board of Trustees, and six individuals in their individual capacities. The plaintiff asserted ten causes of action, including Title VII claims for sex discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation, as well as claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging violations of the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause. The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief; economic damages, including back pay and lost benefits; compensatory and punitive damages; and attorneys’ fees. The case was initially assigned to Judge Scott W. Skavdahl and was then reassigned to Judge Alan B. Johnson.

In the complaint, the plaintiff alleged that, beginning in 2021, county officials and community members advocated for the removal of books with LGBTQ+ themes from the library’s youth collection. According to the complaint, the plaintiff opposed these efforts and supported access to the materials. She claimed that the defendants subjected her to a hostile work environment and ultimately terminated her employment on July 28, 2023.

On July 16, 2025, the defendants filed an answer, denying that the plaintiff’s termination was related to her opposition to book-removal efforts or any protected activity. Instead, the defendants asserted that the termination was based on concerns about her job performance and generally denied the allegations in the complaint.

On October 8, 2025, following a settlement agreement, the parties filed a stipulated motion to dismiss, resolving all claims in the litigation. According to contemporaneous news reports, the defendants agreed under the settlement to pay the plaintiff $700,000. Accordingly, the case was dismissed on October 9, 2025.

The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Dahlia Gottlieb (8/14/2026)

Augusto Colín (3/14/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69920175/parties/lesley-v-campbell-county/


Judge(s)

Johnson, Alan Bond (Wyoming)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Halpern, Iris (Wyoming)

Attorney for Defendant

Bell, Kevin (Wyoming)

Hathaway, Meggan (Wyoming)

Holscher, Patrick T (Wyoming)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:25-cv-00100

Complaint

Lesley v. Campbell County et al.

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Complaint
22

1:25-cv-00100

Answer of Defendants Campbell County, Campbell County Board of Commissioners, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees; Del Shelstad, Colleen Faber, Sag Bear, Charles Butler, Chelsie Collier, and Darcy Lyon

Lesley v. Cambell County

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69920175/lesley-v-campbell-county/

Last updated March 14, 2026, 7:46 p.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 April 21, 2025

COMPLAINT against Sage Bear, Charles Butler, Campbell County, Campbell County Board of County Commissioners, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees, Chelsie Collier, Colleen Faber, Darcy Lyon, Del Shelstad filed by Terri Lesley. (Filing fee $ 405, Receipt Number AWYDC-2609237) Attorney Qusair Mohamedbhai added to party Terri Lesley(pty:pla) (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons - Campbell County, # 3 Summons - Campbell County BOCC, # 4 Summons - Campbell County Library, # 5 Summons - Del Shelstad, # 6 Summons - Colleen Faber, # 7 Summons - Sage Bear, # 8 Summons - Charles Butler, # 9 Summons - Chelsie Collier, # 10 Summons - Darcy Lyon) (Mohamedbhai, Qusair) Modified text on 4/28/2025 (Court Staff, sbh). (Entered: 04/21/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Summons - Campbell County

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3 Summons - Campbell County BOCC

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4 Summons - Campbell County Library

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5 Summons - Del Shelstad

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6 Summons - Colleen Faber

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7 Summons - Sage Bear

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8 Summons - Charles Butler

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9 Summons - Chelsie Collier

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10 Summons - Darcy Lyon

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Clearinghouse
2 April 21, 2025

MOTION for Iris Halpern to appear pro hac vice; Check not tendered; filed by Plaintiff Terri Lesley. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Exhibit 1 - IH Affidavit)(Mohamedbhai, Qusair) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

RECAP
3 April 21, 2025

MOTION for Azra Taslimi to appear pro hac vice; Check not tendered; filed by Plaintiff Terri Lesley. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Exhibit 1 - AT Affidavit)(Mohamedbhai, Qusair) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

RECAP
4 April 21, 2025

MOTION for Stephanie Wise to appear pro hac vice; Check not tendered; filed by Plaintiff Terri Lesley. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Exhibit 1 - SW Affidavit)(Mohamedbhai, Qusair) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

RECAP
5 April 21, 2025

Notice of Judge Assignment and Consent to Proceed before a Magistrate Judge. The case has been assigned to the Honorable Scott W. Skavdahl (presiding) and the Honorable Scott P. Klosterman (referral). (Court Staff, sal) Modified referral judge on 4/22/2025 (Court Staff, sjlg). (Entered: 04/21/2025)

RECAP
6 April 21, 2025

Summonses (9) Issued (Court Staff, sal) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

RECAP
7 April 23, 2025

ORDER REASSIGNING CASE by the Honorable Scott W. Skavdahl. Case reassigned to Honorable Alan B. Johnson for all further proceedings. Honorable Scott W. Skavdahl no longer assigned to case. (Court Staff, sbh) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

RECAP
8 April 23, 2025

ORDER by the US Magistrate Judge Scott P. Klosterman granting 2, 3, 4 Motions for Iris Halpern, Azra Taslimi and Stephanie Wise on behalf of Plaintiff Terri Lesley (Order emailed to phv counsel on this date) (Court Staff, sbh) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

RECAP
April 23, 2025

Motions Referred to Magistrate

April 23, 2025

REFERRED to Magistrate Judge: 2, 3, 4 MOTIONS for Stephanie Wise, Azra Taslimi and Iris Halpern to appear pro hac vice (Court Staff, sbh)

9 April 25, 2025

Notice of Pro Hac Vice Attorney Appearance by Stephanie Wise on behalf of Terri Lesley (Wise, Stephanie) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

RECAP
10 April 25, 2025

Notice of Pro Hac Vice Attorney Appearance by Azra Taslimi on behalf of Terri Lesley (Taslimi, Azra) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

RECAP
11 April 25, 2025

Notice of Pro Hac Vice Attorney Appearance by Iris Halpern on behalf of Terri Lesley (Halpern, Iris) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

RECAP
12 May 27, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed filed by Terri Lesley. Darcy Lyon served on 5/16/2025, answer due 6/6/2025. (Halpern, Iris) Modified text on 6/5/2025 (Court Staff, stmo). Modified text on 6/11/2025 (Court Staff, sbh). (Entered: 05/27/2025)

RECAP
13 May 27, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed filed by Terri Lesley. Charles Butler served on 5/18/2025, answer due 6/9/2025. (Halpern, Iris) Modified text on 6/11/2025 (Court Staff, sbh). (Entered: 05/27/2025)

RECAP
14 May 27, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed filed by Terri Lesley. Chelsie Collier served on 5/19/2025, answer due 6/9/2025. (Halpern, Iris) Modified text on 6/11/2025 (Court Staff, sbh). (Entered: 05/27/2025)

RECAP
15 May 27, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed filed by Terri Lesley. Sage Bear served on 5/16/2025, answer due 6/6/2025. (Halpern, Iris) Modified text on 6/11/2025 (Court Staff, sbh). (Entered: 05/27/2025)

RECAP
16 May 29, 2025

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Terri Lesley. Campbell County 5/20/2025, answer due 7/21/2025 (Halpern, Iris) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

RECAP
17 May 29, 2025

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Terri Lesley. Campbell County Board of County Commissioners 5/20/2025, answer due 7/21/2025 (Halpern, Iris) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

RECAP
18 May 30, 2025

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Terri Lesley. Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees 5/20/2025, answer due 7/21/2025 (Halpern, Iris) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

RECAP
19 May 30, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed filed by Terri Lesley. Del Shelstad served on 5/16/2025, answer due 6/6/2025. (Halpern, Iris) Modified text on 6/11/2025 (Court Staff, sbh). (Entered: 05/30/2025)

RECAP
20 May 30, 2025

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Terri Lesley. Colleen Faber 5/27/2025, answer due 7/28/2025 (Halpern, Iris) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

RECAP
July 1, 2025

Financial Entry

July 1, 2025

FINANCIAL ENTRY: $100 Pro Hac Vice Fee Paid (Receipt #2-4845 for the total amount of $300 received) On Behalf of Iris Halpern, Azra Taslimi and Stephanie Wise. (Court Staff, smek)

21 July 16, 2025

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Patrick T Holscher on behalf of Sage Bear, Charles Butler, Campbell County, Campbell County Board of County Commissioners, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees, Chelsie Collier, Colleen Faber, Darcy Lyon, Del Shelstad (Holscher, Patrick) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

RECAP
22 July 16, 2025

ANSWER to 1 Complaint with Affirmative Defenses with Jury Demand by Colleen Faber, Campbell County Board of County Commissioners, Sage Bear, Chelsie Collier, Campbell County, Charles Butler, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees, Darcy Lyon, Del Shelstad. (Holscher, Patrick) Modified to add link on 7/17/2025 (Court Staff, stmo). (Entered: 07/16/2025)

Clearinghouse
23 July 16, 2025

DISREGARD. Filing error - counsel to refile. NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Patrick T Holscher on behalf of Sage Bear, Charles Butler, Campbell County, Campbell County Board of County Commissioners, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees, Chelsie Collier, Colleen Faber, Darcy Lyon, Del Shelstad (Holscher, Patrick) Modified on 7/17/2025 (Court Staff, stmo). (Entered: 07/16/2025)

RECAP
24 July 16, 2025

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Kevin Bell on behalf of Sage Bear, Charles Butler, Campbell County, Campbell County Board of County Commissioners, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees, Chelsie Collier, Colleen Faber, Darcy Lyon, Del Shelstad (Bell, Kevin) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

RECAP
25 July 17, 2025

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Meggan Hathaway on behalf of Sage Bear, Charles Butler, Campbell County, Campbell County Board of County Commissioners, Campbell County Public Library System Board of Trustees, Chelsie Collier, Colleen Faber, Darcy Lyon, Del Shelstad (Hathaway, Meggan) (Entered: 07/17/2025)

RECAP
26 July 21, 2025

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER REGARDING DISCOVERY MOTIONS AND DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND ANALOGOUS MOTIONS TO DISMISS IN CIVIL CASES by the Honorable Alan B Johnson. (Court Staff, ssw) (Entered: 07/21/2025)

RECAP
27 July 21, 2025

ORDER REQUIRING JOINT REPORT of Meeting and Proposed Joint Discovery and Case Management Plan and Setting Initial Pretrial Conference by the Honorable Alan B Johnson. Initial Pretrial Conference set for 8/20/2025 at 10:30 AM before Honorable Alan B Johnson. NOTE:1. This proceeding will be held via Zoom Video/Web Conferencing with all participants appearing remotely; the Zoom ID and Passcode will be provided separately to the participants email address of record.2. Participants should connect to the proceeding 15 minutes prior to its scheduled start time to allow for troubleshooting of any connectivity issues.3. To ensure the record is of the best quality, participants are encouraged to utilize a headset to reduce static and background noise. If not using a headset, participants must ensure the audio feed at their location is muted when not speaking.***REMINDER: Recording or broadcasting of this hearing is prohibited. *** (Court Staff, ssw) (Entered: 07/21/2025)

RECAP
28 Aug. 13, 2025

JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN by Terri Lesley. (Wise, Stephanie) (Entered: 08/13/2025)

RECAP
29 Aug. 20, 2025

MINUTES for proceedings held before Honorable Alan B. Johnson: Initial Pretrial Conference held on 8/20/2025 (Court Reporter: Melanie Sonntag) (Court Staff, sbh) (Entered: 08/20/2025)

RECAP
30 Aug. 20, 2025

INITIAL PRETRIAL ORDER by the Honorable Alan B. Johnson. Expert Witness Designation-Plaintiff deadline 12/19/2025. Expert Witness Designation-Defendant deadline 1/20/2026. Discovery due by 2/20/2026. Motions filing deadline 3/20/2026. Motion response deadline 4/3/2026. Motion Reply deadline by 4/10/2026. Joint Final Pretrial Memorandum due by 5/15/2026. Motion in Limine deadline 5/15/2026. Motions in Limine Response Deadline 5/29/2026. Motions in Limine Reply Deadline 6/5/2026. Final Pretrial Conference set for 6/18/2026 01:30 PM in Cheyenne Courtroom No. 2 (Room No. 2116) before Honorable Alan B. Johnson. 4-day Jury Trial set for 7/6/2026 01:30 PM in Cheyenne Courtroom No. 2 (Room No. 2116) before Honorable Alan B. Johnson. (Court Staff, sbh) (Entered: 08/20/2025)

RECAP
31 Oct. 9, 2025

Stipulation of Dismissal

1 Proposed Order

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RECAP
32 Oct. 9, 2025

Dismissing Case

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Wyoming

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 21, 2025

Closing Date: Oct. 9, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Former Executive Director of the Campbell County Public Library System

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Campbell County

Campbell County Board of Commissioners

Campbell CountyPublic Library System Board of Trustees

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

42 U.S.C. § 1985

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Wyoming 1:25-cv-00100

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Voluntary Dismissal

Amount Defendant Pays: $700,000

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Recommended Citation