BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- The new regime isn't mixing with the old at the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. Nine current and former employees are suing the new sheriff, claiming he punished them because they supported his opponent in the last election.

GET WFTV NEWS HEADLINES BY EMAIL 9 a.m. Headlines Noon Headlines 4 p.m. Headlines News of the Strange Breaking News Alerts

"I ask for accountability, I ask for justice," said former employee Deborah Barker.

Barker was the chief financial director for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. But, she says, her vocal support of sheriff candidate Wayne Torpy put an end to that. When Sheriff Jack Parker took over office, she was told her position was eliminated.

"To be removed from my position for whom I chose as a candidate was absolutely wrong," Barker said.

Barker is one of nine Brevard County Sheriff's Office employees who say they were terminated or demoted under Parker. After a waiting period of 180 days, the group can file suit against Parker unless, of course, a settlement is reached first.

Edward Smith, 63, says he was removed from his command position only to be offered a job on patrol.

"It's mentally devastating to an individual for those things to happen and know they did nothing wrong," said Smith.

Channel 9 called the sheriff's department Wednesday to talk with Parker, who declined because of the pending lawsuit. But he did release a statement through his attorney that, among other things, states that personnel decisions were made without regard to potential support or affiliation.

Attorney Gregory Eisenmenger certainly isn't convinced.

"The idea that Sheriff Parker is unaware of the law, [that the] type of action that he took is proper, is simply ridiculous," said Eisenmenger.

The attorney representing the clients says he's talked to at least 20 people with some sort of grounds for action, leaving open the possibility that this dispute is growing. Eisenmenger says there could also be a federal lawsuit based on civil rights violations and there is no waiting period to file that suit.