BOP Pays $22,500 Settlement in Retaliation Claim
The federal Bureau of Prisons paid $22,500 to settle a lawsuit claiming retaliation. The suit was brought by James M. Hedge, an Administrative Assistant Warden at the Federal Correction Complex in Beaumont, Texas.
Hedge alleged that in 1997 he was subject to retaliation by Administrative Warden James Rich and Administrative Association Warden Joe Asuncion. Hedge contended that in Rich instructed him to withdraw a request for agency investigation into sexual harassment at the prison.
On another occasion, Rich instructed Hedge and Asuncion to “not make any award recommendations or outstanding performance in favor “of the husband of an employee who filed a sexual harassment claim against Rich Hedge’s refusal to follow that order “angered” Rich and Asuncion.
Then, during several investigations, Hedge gave what was supposed to be “confidential testimony and information to the investigators.” That information, however, was made available to Rich. As a result of the above, Rich and Asuncion lowered Hedge’s “overall performance appraisal rating,” which affected “his salary, benefits, and chance for advancement.” He was also subjected to disciplinary reprimand in retaliation for his involvement in the investigations and denied quality step pay raises.
Represented by attorney E. Hart Green, Hedge filed his federal lawsuit on May 18, 2001. The parties reached a settlement that paid Hedge $22,500 and expungement of the October 6, 1997, letter of reprimand on April 29, 2002.
See: Hedge v. Ashcroft, USDC, E.D. Texas, Case No 1:OICV-280.
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
Related legal case
Hedge v. Ashcroft
| Year | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC, E.D. Texas, Case No 1:OICV-280 |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |