Jury sides with trooper accusing DPS of retaliation and discrimination

[sonias]

AAS 4/16/08
Jury sides with trooper accusing DPS of retaliation and discrimination
Judge has yet to finalize judgment and award of more than $600,000.

A Travis County jury has awarded more than $600,000 to a state trooper who filed a lawsuit charging the Department of Public Safety with retaliation and discrimination after he was transferred out of the elite protective detail that watches over Gov. Rick Perry and his family.

(snip)
Sgt. Thomas Williams accused the agency of retaliating against him after he filed complaints alleging sexual harassment of a Capitol trooper and racial and sex discrimination within the agency.

On March 6, a 12-person jury unanimously sided with him, agreeing that the agency transferred Williams from the detail because he had filed a discrimination complaint and that his race was a factor; he is African American.

A unanimous decision - there must have been some pretty strong evidence. :wow:

Good for the trooper and bad on DPS and Perry!

Sonia

[sonias]

1. State owes $900,000-plus in DPS case, judge says

Postcards from the Lege blog 4/21/08
State owes $900,000-plus in DPS case, judge says

A Travis County judge has ordered the state of Texas to pay more than $900,000 in connection with a black state trooper’s lawsuit charging the Department of Public Safety with racial and sex discrimination and retaliation.

Last month, a jury unanimously sided with DPS Sgt. Thomas Williams and agreed that in 2004, Williams was transferred out of the elite protective detail that guards Gov. Rick Perry and his family because Williams had filed a discrimination complaint — and that his race was a factor. Williams now investigates violations of narcotics laws.

Today, state District Judge Stephen Yelenosky signed an order — stating that 6 percent interest would be applied to $914,108 due Williams and his legal team based on the jury’s recommended award of more than $600,000 plus attorney fees and costs.

Well that will teach them - not! I really hope Sgt Williams actually sees the money.

Sonia