An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint filed by Kevin J. Erickson, a white male prison guard at Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg, Virginia, was settled in March 2002.

Erickson's EEOC complaint, filed in April 2001, alleged that Wanda Hunt, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) officer for the Bureau of Prisons, as well as FCI Petersburg EEOC officers, investigated complaints based on race, and not on the merit of the complaint or in the order filed. Erickson further alleged that the BOP's EEOC officer investigated and pursued complaints filed by "African Americans or black staff" efficiently and thoroughly, but refused to investigate his complaint because of his race (Caucasian).

The allegedly unpursued complaints by Erickson included a slanderous statement made by Associate Warden of Programs Cathy Tucker that Erickson "had nothing coming" as long as she was in the Bureau of Prisons. Erickson further alleged that FCI Petersburg Captain Randy Jones provided false and misleading statements in an affidavit. The complaint also detailed alleged interference with Erickson's promotions, while similarly situated black employees were promoted.

The parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement on March 27, 2002. Neither party admitted fault or liability, but the BOP agreed to promote Erickson to GS-9, Step 10, to pay him $1,000.00 in back pay, and to modify his overall Performance Rating for the period of April 1, 1998 through March 31, 1999 from Exceeds to Outstanding.

The documents from this case were obtained by Prison Legal News after a 12-year battle with the BOP over a Freedom of Information Act request.

Sources: EEOC Case No. 120-A1-4283X, BOP Agency Case No. P-99-0254.

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