Discrimination lawsuit filed
A Brownsville man has sued the state Department of Corrections (DOC) in federal court, claiming he was passed over for promotions because he is black. Charles R. Martin of 261 High St. indicated in the suit that he was passed over for promotions in 1993, 2004 and 2005.
“Plaintiff has been denied promotion and continues to be denied promotion as a result of his race,” according to the suit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court by attorney Aaron R. Cramer.
The suit also indicated that Martin may not have been promoted because he his black but his wife is white.
Martin was hired by the DOC in 1987 and was promoted to lieutenant at the State Correctional Institution at Waynesburg in 1993.
Eleven years later, the suit indicated that Martin applied for a promotion to captain, but someone else was promoted instead. Also in 2004, Martin was put into the position of acting captain at SCI-Fayette. The suit indicated he performed those duties “in an exemplary fashion.”
In May 2005, the suit indicated Martin applied for the position of major of the guard, but was not promoted.
SCI-Fayette is located in Luzerne Township.
The suit claims racial discrimination, retaliation and disparate impact.
Martin’s alleged damages include “loss of employment, promotion benefits, earnings and earnings potential … mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation and damage to reputation.”
The suit asks for damages in excess of $75,000, including back wages, front pay, punitive and compensatory damages.
Martin filed a discrimination charge against the state DOC through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in May 2006.
In February, he received a notice that indicated he had a right to sue.