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Date: 03-03-2021

Case Style:

United States of America v. Tallahatchie County, Mississippi

Case Number:

Judge: None

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Hinds County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney: Tallahatchie County Attorney

Description: Jackson, Mississippi - The United States of America alleged that Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, and the Tallahatchie County sheriff in his official capacity (collectively, Tallahatchie County), intentionally discriminated against Black deputy sheriffs based on their race, by paying them less than white deputy sheriffs, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“Under Title VII, it is illegal to pay employees less because of their race,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Black deputy sheriffs in Tallahatchie County work hard to protect members of their community and they deserve equal treatment in every aspect of their employment, especially their paychecks. This settlement will ensure pay policies that promote equal employment opportunities for these public safety professionals.”

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Tallahatchie County will pay four Black deputy sheriffs back-pay compensation for the unequal pay rates that they have endured. Tallahatchie County will also ensure that pay rates are reviewed and adjusted, as necessary, to ensure no future discrimination. Tallahatchie County will implement a new pay policy to be reviewed by the Department of Justice and will put in place procedures to ensure transparency in pay for its entire workforce of deputy sheriffs.

This lawsuit stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) during which the Commission found that there was reasonable cause to believe that violations of Title VII occurred against a class of Black deputy sheriffs for which disparities in pay were racially motivated. After unsuccessful conciliation efforts by the EEOC, the EEOC referred the charges to the Justice Department.

Outcome: Justice Department Settles Title VII Lawsuit Against Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, Alleging Intentional Discrimination Based on Race.

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