CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. — The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has been cleared of sexual harrassment charges.

Last January, three employees said they were not promoted because they were women. Sheriff Earl Butler fired Chief of Detectives Ray Davis shortly after the accusations, but after a yearlong investigation, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced it found no evidence to support their claims.

"I consider this an exoneration of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. I hope this matter is over, but it's possible claims will be filed in court by some of the individuals involved," Butler said.

Travis Payne, the attorney for two of the women who reported the harrassment claims, said his clients plan to file a lawsuit in the near future. Butler would not say whether he plans to rehire Major Davis.