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Post by hisea on Feb 14, 2013 6:56:17 GMT -4
CENTREVILLE, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is intervening in a lawsuit brought against the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office alleging sex discrimination. The suit was filed in 2010 by Kristy Murphy-Taylor, a former detective in the Sheriff's Office. It alleges that the department subjected Murphy-Taylor to a sexually hostile work environment and retaliated against her. The suit says Murphy-Taylor was eventually fired. The Justice Department said on Monday that its complaint in intervention represents a matter of general public importance. A spokesman for the Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment. Read more: www.sfgate.com/news/article/US-alleges-sex-bias-by-Queen-Anne-s-sheriff-4269942.php#ixzz2KrzeOY2Y
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veruca
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by veruca on Feb 14, 2013 19:22:54 GMT -4
How much money is this Wasting This is like the lawsuit where the student sued the teacher for a C good grief!
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Post by RobMoore on Feb 14, 2013 19:40:54 GMT -4
Our waistline is fine without extra wasted calories.
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veruca
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by veruca on Feb 14, 2013 20:54:36 GMT -4
Tomato tomato whuuuever
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Post by freefallin on Feb 15, 2013 11:45:32 GMT -4
***yawn**** Slow day at Dept. of Justice for them to feel the need to get involved. Too much government looking to keep themselves looking busy to justify their jobs
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Post by hisea on Feb 16, 2013 7:43:28 GMT -4
Not so much the story but were I found it, in the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Post by justintime on Feb 16, 2013 12:32:12 GMT -4
With the Department of Justice taking this case it just got elevated to a new level. For anyone in our county not to take this seriously is foolish. I actually took the time to read everything I could find on this case since it potentially could cost millions. At the very least the Sheriff and his staff have a serious lack of leadership ability which from what I see we all will be paying dearly for.
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Post by falgar25 on Feb 16, 2013 16:01:44 GMT -4
This case is serious but it isn't as simple as the papers make it out to be.
I wonder how far this case would have been taken if the maximum that could be awarded in the case were actual lost wages rather than, "past and future lost wages and compensatory damages."
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Post by justintime on Feb 16, 2013 16:43:25 GMT -4
Good question Falger. But since that's not the case I'm going to continue to follow this closely. I had a sister who had a similar incident happen to her years ago. All I can say is that there is no excuse for this stuff to go on nowadays. Even though it was years ago, I remember what she went through and it wasn't pretty. .
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Post by falgar25 on Feb 16, 2013 16:55:22 GMT -4
Good question Falger. But since that's not the case I'm going to continue to follow this closely. I had a sister who had a similar incident happen to her years ago. All I can say is that there is no excuse for this stuff to go on nowadays. Even though it was years ago, I remember what she went through and it wasn't pretty. . You are making the assumption that what happened to your sister happened in this case and that this lawsuit has merit. I am not. There is no excuse for this stuff to go on nowadays but I am skeptical of the claims being made about what stuff went on in this case.
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dd50
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by dd50 on Feb 16, 2013 21:34:18 GMT -4
There was an interesting movie a few years back called "North Country"! Why do I have the feeling that this incident in Queen Anne's County will possibly follow or be similar to the "North Country" story line! Just have to stay tuned to this one!
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Post by justintime on Feb 17, 2013 10:05:54 GMT -4
I have to say that I was also skeptical until I read. Obviously the Sheriffs brother admitting to the assault gave credence to her story let alone the fact that the State agency that licenses police officers held an independent hearing and stripped him of his police powers. As I said, it is going to be interesting to follow.
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Post by bluecrabber on Feb 21, 2013 7:57:35 GMT -4
This is a tough issue.. most have strong feelings. I hesitate to open my mouth since my Karma will likely take another big hit.. but.. and I have said this before..
Any woman who expects to be given a badge and authorized to carry a gun and have police powers and be expected to deal with some of the most hostile members of our society should be able to take care of herself, including telling any person who makes unwanted advances to knock it off unless they want to be eunuch. I don't care if the perpetrator is the brother of the boss.
And then, to be so emotionally distraught they cannot come to work for almost a year.. ??
That's the part that bothers me from the get go. I can't help but feel money is and has been the motivation in this case from day one.
Second, as I understand, the suit has been filed against Queen Annes county. Great! Would anyone like to guess at how much this will cost us the taxpayers??
Ridiculous.
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Post by eileen on Feb 21, 2013 9:54:51 GMT -4
Bluecrabber, I think the sheriff's office falls under the State of Maryland and QAC. So we as taxpayers to both will be held hostage. It's my hope that the Justice Dept. will hold the alleged victim responsible for producing clear and FACTUAL evidence as to her charges. Rather than just crocodile tears on the stand. I too believe the motivation here is money and the whole "woman scorned" thing.
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dd50
Junior Member
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Post by dd50 on Feb 21, 2013 15:01:02 GMT -4
But AGAIN, what everyone tends to blow off is that the SUSPECT in this case PLEAD Guilty to a crime that he committed WHILE ON DUTY! The SUSPECT who plead guilty and just happen to be the BOSSES BROTHER and he kept his job. For some reason everyone thinks that is ok! If this were anywhere else and an employee PLEAD GUILTY for a crime that took place against a co-worker on the companies dime, everyone would want that person FIRED! REGARDLESS of emotions in this case, the VICTIM, that this crime impacted took place WHILE she was ALSO ON DUTY! The department claims they couldn't get in contact with her, that's TOTAL B.S., they have many avenues to locate an employee! SHAME ON THE COMMAND STAFF, BUT LIKE ALWAYS ARROGANCE WILL TAKE PRECEDENCE AGAIN!
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dd50
Junior Member
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Post by dd50 on Feb 21, 2013 15:13:55 GMT -4
Might I add also that everyone tends to blow off is that an internal investigation on this employee was conducted from with in the agency with that's agency personal and that investigator that was assigned to the internal investigation was appointed by the suspects brother! I believe that the Maryland Police Training Commission had to take another look at this case. As an outside agency, the MD Police Training Commission found merit to have a hearing board with this employee and subsequently after the hearing board, it was determined that there was misconduct in some way shape or form in this case that the hearing boards findings caused him to subsequently loose his police powers in the State of Maryland. If the Maryland Police Training Commission found merit to look at this case and then have a hearing board and then after the hearing board, this employee subsequently looses his police powers, then there must be some kind of merit for the Feds to get involved in this case or they wouldn't be wasting their time! Regardless, whats wrong is wrong, I knew the suspect in this case and always thought highly of him, however when he plead guilty in this case, that changed my opinion of that person. Oh no, I guess I will loose some karma points, but oh-well!
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Post by bluecrabber on Feb 21, 2013 18:33:10 GMT -4
Let me see if I can summarize my understanding... A deputy who happened to be the Brother of the Sheriff groped a female Deputy in a patrol car while on duty. (no cigar was involved) That is what I remember from early published reports, he groped her. He touched her breast. There was no rape, it was a groping. The groped Deputy complained. The groper admitted guilt. The groping Deputy was disciplined, there was an internal investigation, the groper was demoted by the Sheriff. The Groper kept his job but at a reduced rank. Meanwhile, the gropee failed to report for work for about 10 months claiming severe emotional distress. I remember reading the Sheriff tried many times to contact her but she did not respond. The Sheriff reported he had no choice but to dismiss the gropee from the department and request she return her badge and gun. Roll the clock forward to lawsuits... :/ I just cannot understand why this has become a Federal Case so to speak.. Seems to me the action taken by the Sheriff was reasonable. The unreasonable part is the female Deputy making a Federal Case out of an unwelcome advance that was rebuffed, and resulted in discipline. I think if she had went back to work instead of crying crocodile tears for the last couple years she may well be running for Sheriff next go round.
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dd50
Junior Member
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Post by dd50 on Feb 22, 2013 1:32:41 GMT -4
Just remember, regardless NO MEANS NO! You can make ever excuse in the book to justify this incident or make it right, but again NO MEANS NO! I am sure if it wasn't family involved in a personnel issue, there would have been a different outcome and someone would have been unemployed after a GUILTY PLEA was made in court! Regardless as a tax paying citizen, I am appalled that this even took place on our dime!
Regardless, if you were the "groped person or gropee" or better yet it was your wife, mother, or daughter, you would have a serious issue with them being groped! Or is it just your nature to look at women in that regard as someone that can just be groped at any time and it be ok in the work place! best regards!
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Post by falgar25 on Feb 22, 2013 4:56:43 GMT -4
NO MEANS NO but sometimes you have to take YES for an answer.
The events of August 2009 have been admitted by the defendant.
The defendant was investigated by the department and demoted. A "yes" answer but this wasn't enough.
The defendant was charged, pleaded guilty in court, and was further disciplined. Another "yes" answer but this wasn't enough.
The defendant was stripped of his certification as a law enforcement officer thus ending his career. Yet another "yes" answer but, again, this wasn't enough.
The defendant was sued for something like $4.5M dollars. Not sure how this turned out or if it is still ongoing. This still wasn't enough.
Now, the Sheriff, County, and State are being sued for $10.5M. Recently, the DoJ has become involved. Will a "yes" answer in this case be enough? Or, will there be a lawsuit against the Federal Govt. sometime in late 2013?
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Post by bchevy on Feb 22, 2013 6:19:33 GMT -4
I am appalled that this even took place on our dime! You be amazed at what goes on, on our dime.... Daily. You can just about name it, it happens. all of it.
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dd50
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by dd50 on Feb 22, 2013 9:43:10 GMT -4
I am appalled that this even took place on our dime! You be amazed at what goes on, on our dime.... Daily. You can just about name it, it happens. all of it. I totally agree with you on that and believe me I know what goes on during our dime, daily! Whats right is right and whats wrong is wrong period, but this person got caught and plead in to the criminal charge! Bottom line is that ANYONE else would have been FIRED, PERIOD! As to the lawsuit, I all I can say is that a lawsuit is a double edge sword for BOTH sides and anything can come out and into play. We will just have to stay tuned on this one!
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Post by eileen on Feb 22, 2013 9:46:35 GMT -4
NO MEANS NO but sometimes you have to take YES for an answer. The events of August 2009 have been admitted by the defendant. The defendant was investigated by the department and demoted. A "yes" answer but this wasn't enough. The defendant was charged, pleaded guilty in court, and was further disciplined. Another "yes" answer but this wasn't enough. The defendant was stripped of his certification as a law enforcement officer thus ending his career. Yet another "yes" answer but, again, this wasn't enough. The defendant was sued for something like $4.5M dollars. Not sure how this turned out or if it is still ongoing. This still wasn't enough. Now, the Sheriff, County, and State are being sued for $10.5M. Recently, the DoJ has become involved. Will a "yes" answer in this case be enough? Or, will there be a lawsuit against the Federal Govt. sometime in late 2013? Well said Falgar. The $4.5M lawsuit against the brother was dismissed because he has no money and no job. It is my hope that the DOJ will demand real evidence of these claims from the alleged "victim", rather than just crocodile tears. She has sued a number of people and/or entities so far and lost. IMO this is a very bad case of a woman scorned...
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ipm
Full Member
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Post by ipm on Feb 22, 2013 16:23:53 GMT -4
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2013 17:45:07 GMT -4
What is it with the hostility and bashing toward the victim, Kristy Murphy?
Do some people know more then what's being presented in the news about this case. You have anonymity here on the forum...so, what's the real scoop other then the assumptions people are saying.
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Post by justintime on Feb 22, 2013 19:57:44 GMT -4
It could be Ms Murphy or any female I really do not think it matters. The Sheriff's supporters will stand by him no matter what. From what I understand Ms Murphy was an exemplery detective and had a flawless record. The fact that the Justice Department conducted their own investigation and sustained all of her allegations speaks volumes. If I were a betting person, I would say that the Sheriff will say he delegated the investigation to a subordinate and that is who he is going to blame. I could be wrong but like the old say goes.......the buck stop with him. The boss is ultimately responsible for his employees actions. Also from my looking at all of the paperwork in this case......I would say that there will be a lot of current and former employees that will be telling a tale that will not be favorable to Mr Hofmann. As a lot of us are saying, this is going to be interesting to watch.
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