Lincoln County sheriff sued again on claim of sex discrimination

ST. LOUIS • The former supervisor of the Lincoln County jail has sued the sheriff, the sheriff’s department, Lincoln County and her replacement, claiming that she was forced out by unaddressed sex discrimination and harassment.

The plaintiff, Maria Ellison, made very little money after leaving the post and, although she has a new job, still earns less than before, according to her lawyer, John James.

James also represents three women who sued David Curtis, then jail supervisor, Sheriff John Cottle and the others in state court, and two more who sued in federal court, all in January 2015. They lodged similar allegations. Those cases were all settled confidentially in September.

Suits filed by three former employees in the jail kitchen, Gloria Cordray, Evelyn Head and Vicki Metze, complained of graphic sexual discussions, derogatory terms being used for women and discrimination in pay and working conditions. The suits also say that Curtis lived in the jail, expected staff to act as his personal cooks and allowed violent inmates to work with paid staff in the kitchen without any direct supervision.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lincoln-county-sheriff-sued-again-on-claim-of-sex-discrimination/article_23615e49-dbc7-5404-824f-f22a5a7194ed.html