WWW.USDOJ.GOV

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Justice today filed suit against the Harris County, Texas Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Position 1, for the sexual harassment of black female employees in his office based on their race and sex.

According to the United States' complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, H.N. McElroy, in his official capacity as a Harris County Justice of the Peace, subjected Pearlene Evans, a former black female employee, and other black females, to sexual harassment that adversely affected the terms, conditions and privileges of their employment. The complaint further alleges that Ms. Evans was later discharged by McElroy on the basis of her race and sex. Because Harris County is responsible for appropriating monies for McElroy's office, the County is named as an additional defendant in the suit.

"All employees are entitled to a workplace free of hostility based on sex and race," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "Where such harassment is found to exist, the Justice Department will seek immediate relief, to ensure that such harassment does not recur, and will seek compensation for the victims."

Ms. Evans filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1997 alleging that, because of her sex and race, she was sexually harassed by McElroy and forced to resign from her position as Clerk. After investigating the charge, the EEOC found reasonable cause to believe that unlawful discrimination had occurred and, when attempts to conciliate were unsuccessful, referred the matter to the Department of Justice. In its complaint, the United States seeks relief and compensatory damages for Ms. Evans and similarly situated black females for the mental and physical injuries they have incurred as a result of the alleged discrimination. The United States is also seeking injunctive relief to prevent sexual harassment from recurring, including sexual harassment awareness training for supervisory and non-supervisory personnel in the Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Position 1 office.

###

00-266