Employment Justice Department Intervenes in Maryland Sex Discrimination Case

Justice Department Intervenes in Maryland Sex Discrimination Case

Justice Department Intervenes in Maryland Sex Discrimination Case

Introduction

The United States Justice Department recently intervened in a sex discrimination lawsuit filed against the University of Maryland College Park by a former employee named Ann Powell. The lawsuit was filed in July 2016, and the Justice Department filed a statement of interest in December of the same year. The lawsuit is just one of many cases of sex discrimination that have recently been filed against American universities and higher education institutions. This article will explore the details of the case, examine how it fits into the broader trend of sex discrimination lawsuits, and evaluate the potential implications of the Justice Department’s intervention.

Background on the Lawsuit

Ann Powell was a senior official in the University of Maryland’s athletic department until she was fired in 2014. In her lawsuit, she alleges that she was terminated from her position because of her gender. Specifically, she alleges that her supervisor, Kevin Anderson, subjected her to a hostile work environment, and that he retaliated against her when she complained about his behavior. Powell claims that Anderson made sexist comments to her, such as telling her to “act like a girl” and insisting that she wear high heels to meetings. She also claims that Anderson gave her assignments that were below her level of expertise and took away some of her responsibilities. When Powell complained to the University about Anderson’s behavior, she says that she was demoted and ultimately fired.

Powell’s lawsuit has been ongoing for several years. In 2018, a judge dismissed some of her claims, but allowed others to proceed. She is seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and other harms.

The Broader Trend of Sex Discrimination Lawsuits

Powell’s case is just one of many sex discrimination lawsuits that have been filed against American universities and higher education institutions in recent years. In 2016, a former Vanderbilt University football player sued the University, alleging that he was raped by teammates and that the school had created a culture that allowed such crimes to occur. In 2017, a former University of Iowa field hockey coach filed a lawsuit claiming that she was discriminated against because of her sexual orientation and gender. And in 2018, a group of female professors at the University of Denver filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that they were paid less than male colleagues for doing the same work.

The prevalence of sex discrimination lawsuits in higher education has led some experts to suggest that the industry has a systemic problem with gender equity. A 2016 report from the National Women’s Law Center found that women in academia are paid less than men at all levels, and that they are underrepresented in leadership positions. The report also found that women are more likely to experience sexual harassment and assault than men in academic environments.

The Role of the Justice Department

The Justice Department’s intervention in Powell’s case is notable because it represents a departure from the policies of the Obama administration. Under President Obama, the Department of Education issued guidelines to universities on how to handle sex discrimination complaints, and threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that did not comply. The Trump administration has rescinded those guidelines, arguing that they were unfair to accused perpetrators and that they violated due process rights.

The Justice Department’s statement of interest in Powell’s case does not necessarily indicate that the Trump administration is taking a more aggressive stance on sex discrimination in education. The department has not issued any new policies or guidance, and the statement of interest does not guarantee that the department will file a formal lawsuit against the University of Maryland. However, it does suggest that the department is paying attention to cases of sex discrimination in higher education, and that it may be willing to take action in certain circumstances.

Implications of the Intervention

The Justice Department’s intervention in Powell’s case could have important implications for how universities handle complaints of sex discrimination. If the department does end up filing a lawsuit against the University of Maryland, it could establish a legal precedent for how universities are expected to respond to allegations of discrimination. This could lead to changes in how universities investigate and adjudicate complaints, and could make it easier for victims of discrimination to seek redress.

However, the intervention could also have negative consequences. Some legal experts argue that the Justice Department’s involvement could discourage universities from taking steps to address sex discrimination on their own, since they may fear being sued by the department. Additionally, some critics argue that the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Obama-era guidelines could make universities less likely to take sex discrimination complaints seriously.

Conclusion

The Justice Department’s intervention in Ann Powell’s sex discrimination lawsuit against the University of Maryland College Park is just one example of the broader trend of sex discrimination lawsuits against American universities. While the implications of the intervention are uncertain, it is clear that the issue of gender equity in higher education is one that will continue to be debated and litigated in the years to come.


The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Department in Maryland is facing the threat of severe legal consequences after the United States Department of Justice stepped in to take over a case from a former employee alleging sexual harassment.  According to the former employee, Kristy Murphy-Taylor, the sheriff’s department subjected her to continuous harassment and discrimination that constituted a hostile workplace environment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

According to the lawsuit filed by Murphy-Taylor in September 2012, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Department fired her after she reported multiple incidents of physical sexual harassment to her supervisors.  Murphy-Taylor reported that an officer she rode along with put his hand on her crotch, and also squeezed her breasts, in spite of repeated attempts to make him stop his inappropriate and unwanted behavior.

Murphy-Taylor pressed criminal charges against the officer who assaulted her, and he eventually pled guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for sexual assault charges being dropped.  According to Murphy-Taylor’s suit, she was fired soon after this guilty plea as retaliation for her continuing to press charges.

In addition to physically assaulting Murphy-Taylor, the lawsuit alleges that employees of the sheriff’s department made sexually explicit comments not only to her, but to several other women in the office as well.  Some of these comments made the women feel uncomfortable, especially when male officers would make derogatory comments about women based on their sex.

According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex is prohibited conduct.  While originally Murphy-Taylor filed her suit with a private attorney, last week the Justice Department announced that it would be taking over the case.  Because the case involved a large department of a large county’s government and the accusations were so big, the Justice Department decided that it could more effectively prosecute the case with its own specialized civil rights attorneys.

Every year, the Justice Department files several hundred lawsuits pertaining to alleged incidents of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, religion, disability, and other protected classes.  These represent only a small fraction of the total number of lawsuits filed by private attorneys for discrimination and harassment.  Typically, the Justice Department takes a case when the conduct was especially egregious or the defendant is particularly prominent politically or economically.

Source: justice.gov