Marshal race bias is alleged in suit

Black workers say promotions lost

WASHINGTON - Black employees of the US Marshals Service filed a racial discrimination lawsuit yesterday, saying they have been denied promotions by managers who belittled them as lazy.

The lawsuit in US District Court seeks broad changes in job practices at a law enforcement agency that has grappled with race bias accusations dating back to the 1990s. It accuses the agency of exploiting loopholes to groom whites for leadership positions while reprimanding blacks for "trivial mistakes."

Seeking to sue on behalf of 200 current or former black US Marshals employees, the lawsuit alleges violations of federal civil rights laws. It is asking for damages of at least $300 million for lost back pay and harm suffered in a "hostile work environment."

The allegations also come as black agents at the Secret Service, which protects presidents, their family members, and other dignitaries, are making similar charges of denied promotions because of their race. That 2000 lawsuit in federal court contends white colleagues and supervisors regularly used a racial epithet to refer to criminal suspects and black leaders of other countries.

"This is the way the agency treats African-American deputies all over the country," said deputy US Marshal David Grogan, a 20-year employee in the case.

Both Grogan and James Brooks, a chief deputy marshal, are suing in the case. Their complaint says the Marshals Service:

Systematically denied special assignments to blacks despite their qualifications.

Canceled vacant higher-ranking job positions when white applicants did not qualify.

Failed to provide timely notice of job openings.

The Marshals Service, a division of the Justice Department, has 4,700 employees and is responsible for apprehending fugitives and protecting US judges.

Jeff Carter, an agency spokesman, said, "These allegations do not reflect the culture of this agency or the high standards to which we hold our employees."