×
You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.
Kentucky: Women Sexually Harassed By Jail Officials Awarded $230,000 Each
On September 18, 2002, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of Kentucky awarded a total of $230,000 to each of two women,
former employees of the Whitley County Jail, who alleged sexual harassment
and battery by the jailer and the jail's chief deputy.
Plaintiffs Teresa Fulton and Anita Kelly were employed at the Whitley
County (Kentucky) Jail by elected jailer Jerry Taylor. Fulton, a deputy
jailer, started in 1998; Kelly, an office manager, started in 1999. Both
quit their jobs in May 2000.
Although plaintiffs pursued separate claims, both alleged that the jailer,
a fan of bestiality, exposed them to pornographic magazines and bizarre
websites such as farmsex.com and that the chief deputy, Larry Taylor, who
was also the jailer's son, touched them in sexually offensive ways.
Kelly also claimed that the jailer made her access the websites and print
pornographic pictures, made her order a bestiality video for him, and
subjected her to unwanted sexual advances and suggestions.
Plaintiffs reported the Taylors' offensive conduct to County Judge Mike
Patrick whose only action was to ask the jailer about the allegations,
which the jailer denied. Plaintiffs claimed they suffered retaliation after
making the report.
Plaintiffs also brought a whistleblower claim arising from a complaint in
which they alleged the jailer misappropriated canteen funds.
Plaintiffs sued the the jailer, the chief deputy, the County Judge, and
Whitley County under federal and state law alleging sexual harassment,
retaliation, battery, and whistleblower.
The County defended by blaming the jailer for any misconduct. The jailer
and his son denied any wrongdoing.
The jury found for plaintiffs on every count. Against all defendants,
plaintiffs, were awarded identical compensatory damages of $50,000 for
emotional suffering, $50,000 for lost wages, and $25,000 for future lost
wages. Both plaintiffs were further awarded punitive damages of $100,000
against the jailer and $5,000 against his son. The total award for each
plaintiff was $230,000.
Plaintiffs were represented by Elizabeth S. Hughes of Gess, Mattingly &
Atchison and Henry E. Hughes of Hughes, Lowry, Milner & Hayworth, both of
Lexington, Kentucky. See: Kelly v. Whitley County Jailer, USDC ED KY, Case
No-. 00 CV 388.
Source: Kentucky Trial Court Review
"
District of Kentucky awarded a total of $230,000 to each of two women,
former employees of the Whitley County Jail, who alleged sexual harassment
and battery by the jailer and the jail's chief deputy.
Plaintiffs Teresa Fulton and Anita Kelly were employed at the Whitley
County (Kentucky) Jail by elected jailer Jerry Taylor. Fulton, a deputy
jailer, started in 1998; Kelly, an office manager, started in 1999. Both
quit their jobs in May 2000.
Although plaintiffs pursued separate claims, both alleged that the jailer,
a fan of bestiality, exposed them to pornographic magazines and bizarre
websites such as farmsex.com and that the chief deputy, Larry Taylor, who
was also the jailer's son, touched them in sexually offensive ways.
Kelly also claimed that the jailer made her access the websites and print
pornographic pictures, made her order a bestiality video for him, and
subjected her to unwanted sexual advances and suggestions.
Plaintiffs reported the Taylors' offensive conduct to County Judge Mike
Patrick whose only action was to ask the jailer about the allegations,
which the jailer denied. Plaintiffs claimed they suffered retaliation after
making the report.
Plaintiffs also brought a whistleblower claim arising from a complaint in
which they alleged the jailer misappropriated canteen funds.
Plaintiffs sued the the jailer, the chief deputy, the County Judge, and
Whitley County under federal and state law alleging sexual harassment,
retaliation, battery, and whistleblower.
The County defended by blaming the jailer for any misconduct. The jailer
and his son denied any wrongdoing.
The jury found for plaintiffs on every count. Against all defendants,
plaintiffs, were awarded identical compensatory damages of $50,000 for
emotional suffering, $50,000 for lost wages, and $25,000 for future lost
wages. Both plaintiffs were further awarded punitive damages of $100,000
against the jailer and $5,000 against his son. The total award for each
plaintiff was $230,000.
Plaintiffs were represented by Elizabeth S. Hughes of Gess, Mattingly &
Atchison and Henry E. Hughes of Hughes, Lowry, Milner & Hayworth, both of
Lexington, Kentucky. See: Kelly v. Whitley County Jailer, USDC ED KY, Case
No-. 00 CV 388.
Source: Kentucky Trial Court Review
"
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
Kelly v. Whitley County Jailer
| Year | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC ED KY, Case No. 00 CV 388 |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Bench Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 230000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |