×
You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.
Alabama Jail Dispatcher Awarded $250,157 for Sexual Harassment/Retaliation
A female jail dispatcher who was sexually harassed and retaliated against was awarded $250,157.
Melissa Hunter was a jail dispatcher for the Barbour County, Alabama, Sheriff. In 2002, her supervisor, George Parham, subjected her to sexual harassment. Beginning in November, 2002, Parham constantly asked Hunter for ?some pussy.? His remarks and conduct escalated. Parham once promised Hunter his paycheck for sex.
Hunter reported Parham?s conduct in December, 2002. He was told to stop or he?d be disciplined. Three months later, however, Parham began harassing Hunter again. He said he?d move her from the middle-of-the-night second shift to the more desirable first shift if she consented to sex. She declined.
In August 2003, Hunter was the most senior staff on duty when discipline broke down, with prisoners roaming freely throughout the jail. Hunter was suspended for three days without pay. No other staff were suspended.
Hunter sued in federal court, alleging sexual harassment, disparate treatment and retaliation. Parham conceded that the work environment was ?sexually charged? but claimed that any sexual dialogue was purely consensual, with Hunter being a willing participant. The Sheriff claimed he responded swiftly the Hunter?s complaints.
A jury found for Hunter on all claims and awarded her compensatory damages of $180,157 and punitive damages of $70,000, for a total of $250,157. Hunter was represented by Ann Robertson, Temple Trueblood, and Bobbie Crook of Alabama. See: Hunter v. Barbour County Sheriff, USDC MD AL, Case No. 2:04-749 (MD Al. 8/23/05).
Melissa Hunter was a jail dispatcher for the Barbour County, Alabama, Sheriff. In 2002, her supervisor, George Parham, subjected her to sexual harassment. Beginning in November, 2002, Parham constantly asked Hunter for ?some pussy.? His remarks and conduct escalated. Parham once promised Hunter his paycheck for sex.
Hunter reported Parham?s conduct in December, 2002. He was told to stop or he?d be disciplined. Three months later, however, Parham began harassing Hunter again. He said he?d move her from the middle-of-the-night second shift to the more desirable first shift if she consented to sex. She declined.
In August 2003, Hunter was the most senior staff on duty when discipline broke down, with prisoners roaming freely throughout the jail. Hunter was suspended for three days without pay. No other staff were suspended.
Hunter sued in federal court, alleging sexual harassment, disparate treatment and retaliation. Parham conceded that the work environment was ?sexually charged? but claimed that any sexual dialogue was purely consensual, with Hunter being a willing participant. The Sheriff claimed he responded swiftly the Hunter?s complaints.
A jury found for Hunter on all claims and awarded her compensatory damages of $180,157 and punitive damages of $70,000, for a total of $250,157. Hunter was represented by Ann Robertson, Temple Trueblood, and Bobbie Crook of Alabama. See: Hunter v. Barbour County Sheriff, USDC MD AL, Case No. 2:04-749 (MD Al. 8/23/05).
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
Related legal case
Hunter v. Barbour County Sheriff
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC MD AL, Case No. 2:04-749 (MD Al. 8/23/05) |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Damages | 250,157.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |