Former Petersburg sheriff’s deputy claims discrimination from sheriff’s office

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- A former Petersburg sheriff's deputy has filed complaints against the Petersburg Sheriff's Office, alleging discrimination because of his beard.

The former deputy, Gregory Wells, believes he was retaliated against after running for Hopewell Sheriff last November. Last month, he filed discrimination claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Virginia Attorney General's Office of Civil Rights.

Wells, who first joined as a deputy in early 2024, says he has always had a beard, despite the sheriff's office policy stating that beards are not allowed, according to him.

Wells agreed to closely cut his beard under an approved medical exemption for an inflammatory skin condition. Claiming he had no issues with his superiors, Wells said everything changed when he returned after campaigning for sheriff of Hopewell. He told 8News that he completed all his deputy responsibilities while running for sheriff.

"What changed? Why, suddenly, is there an issue with my close-cut beard? Another question is 'why can't I return to work?'" Wells said.

Petersburg Sheriff Vanessa Crawford texted Wells two weeks after Election Day, saying all men had to be clean-shaven for a picture day.

"Clearly, I knew that did not apply to me being that I had a medical exemption," Wells said.

But, he says this did apply to him, even though, Wells said that picture day never happened.

Wells asked Sheriff Crawford "why now?"

"I said, 'you allowed it before.' I said, 'may I ask what changed now?' She said — and I quote — yeah, but then you switched up on me," Wells alleged.

Wells believes his campaign for Hopewell sheriff was the reason. Next, he was told not to return to work until clean-shaven. Wells calls it "unlawful."

"I made them aware it violates the ADA — Americans with Disabilities Act," Wells argued. "It violates so many codes of Virginia."

Wells still did not have his beard shaved after the sheriff's office gave him a deadline. Last week, Wells received a letter saying he would not be reappointed.

The EEOC told Wells verbally that it was all under investigation, and Wells hopes he can put on the uniform once again.

Now, he's scrambling to find work to give his wife and daughter a good Christmas as their baby turns one on Wednesday, Dec. 17.