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Hostile Work Environment at Florida Jail Results in $262,000 Jury Award for Guard

Hostile Work Environment at Florida Jail Results in $262,000 Jury Award for Guard

In March 2013, a Florida jury awarded $262,127.86 to a corrections sergeant who alleged her supervisors at the Palm Beach County Jail discriminated against her because she is white.

Sgt. Beverly Ellis began working for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSCO) in 1988. Her troubles began after she reported her then-supervisor, Lt. Ruby Starks, for discrimination. Following that report, Ellis received a notice from Internal Affairs on September 8, 2001, stating that she was being reprimanded and given verbal counseling. No reason was given for that action.

Ellis, 53, filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Florida Commission on Human Relations for workplace discrimination and harassment. She alleged Starks “yells, screams, and use[s] racial slurs. She does not treat Black supervisors in the same manner.” The EEOC issued a determination on June 6, 2002, in Ellis’ favor.

After the resolution of that charge, Ellis was subject to harassment and discrimination from Starks and Col. Keith Chambers, both of whom are African-American. In September 2004, Ellis was denied promotion to Lieutenant. She was also subjected to unjustified disciplinary actions, including a one-day suspension on February 19, 2005, for “conduct substantially similar or nearly identical to conduct engaged in by similarly situated, non-white employees.”

The matter proceeded to trial in state court on a claim that Ellis’ rights under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 were violated. The jury’s March 26, 2013, verdict found Starks and Chambers subjected Ellis to a hostile work environment. It also found that Ellis was engaged in statutorily protected activity when she was suspended for one day and denied a promotion to lieutenant.

Ellis was awarded $26,349.86 in lost wages and $35,778 in lost benefits. She also was awarded $200,000 for emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other monetary and non-monetary losses.

The Court retained jurisdiction to determine an award of attorney fees and costs and equitable relief of granting Ellis a promotion to Lieutenant. Ellis was represented by Attorney Isidro Garcia of West Palm Beach. See: Ellis v. Bradshaw, 15th Judicial Circuit Court, Palm Beach, Florida, Case No 50-2008-CA-012121.

Additional source: www.correctionsone.com

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Related legal case

Ellis v. Bradshaw