This week the federal court in Maryland issued a key ruling in the class action race discrimination case against the Maryland State Police (MSP) that is being litigated by Bachman Law and Joseph Greenwald & Laake. In the ruling, a federal judge among other things denied MSP’s attempt to dismiss the race discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Maryland state law.
Opinion on MTD
The case will now proceed to the discovery phase and we and our clients remain committed to taking all measures to hold the MSP accountable for its discriminatory actions.
Our clients include numerous Maryland State Police Officers of Color who allege systemic race, color, and/or national origin discrimination in denial of promotions, unwarranted discipline, and the creation of a hostile work environment. The incidents in the complaint include:
- a Black officer who allegedly made a one-hour error in reporting his time card suffered a nearly one-year suspension by the MSP
- a training dummy at a MSP shooting range was dressed up in blackface and an “Afro wig”
- the MSP makes discriminatory decisions about promotions and discipline through centralized practices that unlawfully disadvantage Officers of Color
The United States Department of Justice previously announced that it has opened a pattern or practice discrimination investigation into the Maryland State Police’s employment practices.
Stay tuned for more information on this case as it proceeds in court and as we work to hold the Maryland State Police accountable and to vindicate our clients’ legal right to be free from discrimination at work.
If you have experienced employment discrimination or whistleblower retaliation, call a top rated employment attorney at (202) 769-1681, or start your preliminary consultation online.