Wednesday, February 09, 2000
County says it paid corrections officer $250,000
She dropped claim of race, sex discrimination
BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County confirmed Tuesday that it paid $250,000 to a former corrections officer who was dismissed after being accused of sleeping on the job at the Justice Center.
Attorney Randolph Freking said Monday that an arbitrator reinstated Cavoya Edwards, an African American, because the sheriff did not fire white male guards accused of the same offense. Her suit in U.S. District Court called that favoritism was race and sex discrimination.
John Arnold, an assistant prosecuting attorney, said the county denied any wrongdoing.
As part of the settlement, Ms. Edwards, 35, of Bond Hill, resigned and is retraining for an unrelated job at the justice center.
Beyond that, Ms. Edwards said, she was bound by a confidentiality agreement in the settlement.
A spokesman for Prosecuting Attorney Mike Allen said the money would come from the county general fund and the settlement was approved by the commissioners.
Mr. Allen said paying Ms. Edwards to drop her claims made good sense given the cost to the county of the case and risk of losing.
Some of 15 defendants in Ms. Edwards' suit retained outside attorneys to avoid conflicts of interest with the county, and — win or lose — that was going to be expensive, Mr. Allen said.
The accord also covered unrelated state and federal suits arising from an altercation when Ms. Edwards tried to help a departing colleague avoid traditional hazing at the Justice Center.
Ms. Edwards said she was on an elevator with Corrections Officer Lynnette Pleasant, who had completed her final day on the job, on Dec. 10, 1997.
When they reached the basement, co-workers tried to dunk Officer Pleas ant in a tub of water, a tradition on a person's last day, Ms. Edwards said. Officer Pleasant resisted, and Ms. Edwards said she injured her shoulder trying to defend her.
No one was dunked, and attorney Dave R. West filed similar suits for both women. Allegations included racial discrimination in the confrontation and aftermath, violence against women in the workplace and a failure to prevent foreseeable injuries.
Again, Mr. Arnold said, Ms. Edwards' claims had no merit.
Ms. Pleasant, 33, of Springdale now is a Cincinnati police officer. Her case is unresolved, Mr. West said.
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