Date: 11-06-2009

Case Style: Bonnie Young and Michael Simmons v. Texas Department of Criminal Justice, et al.

Case Number: A176-511

Judge: Bob Wortham

Court: 58th District Court, Jefferson County, Texas

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney: Allan K. Cook and Phillip E. Marrus, Office of the Attorney General, Austin, Texas

Description: Bonnie Young and Michael Simmons sued the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and others on a civil rights violation and retaliation theories claiming that there were discriminated against by their former employer for disciplining a black subordinate. Young claim that her supervisor was trying to discredit her so that she could be replaced by an African American. She also claimed that she was retaliated against for reprimanding a black male employee, whom she alleges was using the inmates to build personal items for him. In the fall of 2003, TDCJ transferred Young to the Mark W. Stiles Prison Unit as an assistant warden to work under the direct supervision of then Senior Warden David Doughty. She claimed that she was discriminated against because of her sex and race. Simmons worked for Young and was accused of having had a sexual relationship with her but an investigation failed to confirm that allegation.

Defendant denied that it discriminated against either plaintiff or retaliated against them for asserting their rights. It claimed that Young was transferred to another position after she made numerous claims of wrongdoing against fellow TDCJ employees.

Outcome: Defendants' verdict.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: