On November 17, 1999, the United States Department of Justice (the "DOJ") filed a lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq., in the Northern District Court of Ohio, Eastern Division, against the Sheriff of Ashtabula County, in his official capacity, and the Board of County Commissioners of Ashtabula County. The DOJ asked the court for injunctive and compensatory relief, alleging that the defendant discriminated against female employees on the basis of sex by failing or refusing to hire or consider females for the positions of Corrections Officer and Corrections Officer/Medical Officer and retaliated against an individual female employee for filing a complaint of discrimination with the EEOC.

On April 4, 2000, the Court granted the individual employee's motion to intervene, where she alleged that she was denied employment on the basis of sex and and was retaliated against for engaging in activity protected by Title VII.

On September 28, 2000, the District Court (Judge Patricia Anne Gaughan) entered a Consent Decree between the United States and the Defendant. The Decree enjoins the Defendant from engaging in discriminatory practices on the basis of sex, and from retaliating against anyone who opposes such discriminatory practices. It also lists a series of injunctions that make the selection procedure for Corrections Officer and Corrections Officer/Medical Officer open, fair, and competitive. The Defendant must also retain all records necessary to monitor the implementation of the decree, as well as provide annual reports to the United States. The Court maintained jurisdiction over the matters covered by the Consent Decree for a period of four years, pursuant to its entry.

Jennifer Hau - 10/15/2007


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