Former county detective countersues domestic violence victim

Former Horry County Detective Allen Large denies in court documents filed Thursday that he coerced a domestic violence victim into participating in a nude catfight video and is now suing the woman claiming she ruined his reputation and crippled future job prospects.

The woman identified only as Jane Doe 3 who filed the civil lawsuit against Large “has blatantly misrepresented facts in order to abuse the system and obtain some type of money,” said the countersuit filed in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, Florence Division.

Large’s counterclaim says that he never assaulted or threatened the woman whom he considered a friend, and that he is “shocked and horrified” by her claims.

The woman “only filed these actions for a payday and to cash in on the other Jane Does false and wrongful publication of lies,” the countersuit said.

Large is the target of three lawsuits filed since December by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3.

As a detective for the Horry County Police Department, Large met Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 after he was assigned to investigate their sexual assault complaints filed with the agency.

Those two women say Large sexually assaulted them and coerced them to participate in the sexual fetish videos, although neither women ever participated in a catfight event, a sexual fetish in which women fight each other and tear off clothing.

Large knew Jane Doe 3 from handling her case of domestic violence in 1998, during which she was shot by her now former husband. They became reacquainted after Jane Doe 3 filed a domestic violence complaint against her second husband.

Jane Doe 3 did participate in a catfight video, which was taped by Large during a trip to North Carolina.

James B. Moore, the lawyer representing all of the women, said in a statement that Jane Doe 3 trusts the judicial system and has faith that her case will prevail.

“Instead of taking responsibility for his actions, it appears Investigator Large has again resorted to victim blaming,” Moore said.

The former detective admits that he encouraged the three women to participate in catfight videos, and that some catfights have been held at his home. Large denies forcing or coercing the women to participate.

He admits riding with Jane Doe 3 to North Carolina, staying overnight at a hotel and videotaping a catfight that he says Jane Doe 3 arranged, but says that at no time was she ever forced.

Large also is countersuing Jane Doe 2, and denies that he sexually assaulted her. He said in a videotaped deposition that he was trying to help the women make money.

The lawsuit says that Large was employed with the Horry County Police Department for 27 years without incident, and that the women “are using an opportunity to further tarnish the defendant Large’s good name.”

Large was fired from the police department July 31, 2015, by former Police Chief Saundra Rhodes after an internal investigation confirmed allegations of sexual harassment, according to the termination letter obtained by The Sun News through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Rhodes stepped down as chief in May, and her two deputy chiefs have since left the agency. Several police department officials are part of an ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Former county detective countersues domestic violence victim."