7/21/11 – Three lawsuits were filed in federal court today accusing former state Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Ken Black of discriminating against white employees. Black, an African-American, was accused of denying one white plaintiff a promotion. He also allegedly fired a second employee improperly, and retaliated against a third person. The three plaintiffs made the same accusations that were leveled against Black in complaints a few months ago to the state’s Equal Rights Division – that he was trying to get rid of older white staff members. Each of the lawsuits seeks both compensatory and punitive damages from Black – who resigned a few weeks ago. The Equal Rights Division found probable cause that Black’s agency might have broken the state’s fair employment laws. The Associated Press said Black hung up when a reporter sought a comment
