Two allegations of employment discrimination in Jefferson County’s administrative departments have cost taxpayers $160,000 in court settlements in the past two years — and two more cases are pending in federal court.
The settlements involved claims of race discrimination by a black woman, who received a $125,000 settlement from the county three months ago, and discrimination against a gay man, who settled for $35,000.
The county is fighting charges of gender and age discrimination in the firings of two employees: Judy Goebel, then 58, who directed the human resources department, and Jerelyn Bowers, then 54, who headed the support services division.
All four employees were under the supervision of county administrator Jim Moore, whom Goebel and Bowers claim created a hostile work environment. They contend that, among other things, Moore made unwelcome comments about the sexual abuse he suffered as a child and often discussed a sex video he made with his wife. The two women also claim that Moore did nothing when they told him about male employees who made derogatory remarks about women and minorities.
In court documents, Moore denied charges of discrimination and creating a hostile work environment. The county, through spokeswoman Kathryn Heider, declined to comment on any of the cases.
Goebel also alleges she was fired because she was ill. Hospitalized for a serious medical condition on April 1, 2007, she contends she told Moore that her doctors said she might have had a stroke. On April 17, 2007, Goebel told Moore that her doctor recommended she take a medical leave. In a letter dated two days later, Moore fired her.
Moore also fired Bowers, as well as another women who was 62. They were two of only three employees let go as a means of addressing a $12 million budget shortfall, the lawsuit says.
Attorney Robert Truhlar, who represents both Bowers and Goebel, said neither he nor his clients wanted to comment.
Goebel, along with the county, was named as a defendant in the two settled discrimination cases. Those employees alleged Goebel, their immediate supervisor, created a hostile work environment.
Karen Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
