Case: United States of America v. Prince George's County, Maryland
8:02-cv-03563 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Filed Date: Oct. 30, 2002
Closed Date: Oct. 23, 2005
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Case Summary
On the October 30, 2002, the United States filed a lawsuit under Title VII against Prince Georges County in the U.S. District Court of Maryland, alleging that the County's Fire Department discriminated against an employee on the basis of her sex. Specifically, the United States contended that this female employee was subject to subject to harassment. Furthermore, the United States alleged that Prince Georges County retaliated against this employee because she complained to officials in the County Fire Department. The defendant imposed an operational suspension on her, transferred her to a less desirable assignment resulting in a loss of pay, and issued a disciplinary letter of unsatisfactory performance. The United States sought remedial and injunctive relief.
The EEOC investigated the charge, found reasonable cause to believe that the allegation of national origin discrimination was true, attempted unsuccessfully to achieve through conciliation a voluntary resolution of the charge and subsequently referred the matter to the Department of Justice.
On October 23, 2003 the United States and the defendant agreed to enter a consent decree, which was entered by the district court (Judge Deborah Chasanow). The County offered the female employee a monetary award, retirement badge and certificate, and expunged the notice of operational suspension and the disciplinary letter from her personnel files. In order to accept this relief, the female employee had to execute a release. The consent decree also provided that the County will provide mandatory training regarding sexual harassment and retaliation for all non-supervisory Fire Department employees and supervisory training for all County supervisors. The County also must amend the job description of all supervisors to include a duty to know and enforce the law regarding sexual harassment and retaliation. The County further must appoint a Fire Department EEO officer that will be capable of receiving complaints of sexual harassment and retaliation from Fire Department employees. Finally, the County will use all lawful means available to ensure that there will be no displays or presentation of pornographic material including videos, television, computer-generated displays and pictures, in all fire stations where employees would spend time.
The consent decree is expired and the case is closed.
Summary Authors
Dana Schwarz (10/30/2007)
People
Chasanow, Deborah K. (Maryland)
Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)
Danis, Jodi B (District of Columbia)
Dibiagio, Thomas M. (Maryland)
Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
Last updated March 25, 2025, 8:15 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 30, 2002
Closing Date: Oct. 23, 2005
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. on behalf of fire department employees
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
County
Prince Georges County
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Other Dockets:
District of Maryland 8:02-cv-03563
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 2003 - 2006
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Sex/Gender(s):
Case Summary of United States of America v. Prince George's County, Maryland, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/10350/ (last updated 10/30/2007).