An African-American woman who worked as a Washington County court clerk filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the state on Monday.
Shanda Williams, a resident of Montpelier, alleges she was subjected to hostile treatment by her coworkers and supervisor at the court, and was ultimately let go from her position because of her race.
Williams says in the lawsuit she was the subject of “discriminatory treatment and an adverse employment action” while working under operations manager Tammy Tyda.
According to the lawsuit, Tyda told Williams that the clerk’s office was “up to speed” and her position was being eliminated because of a lack of work.
Williams “later learned that the position Docket Clerk B for the Barre location was re-filled shortly after her departure by another person who is not African-American,” the lawsuit says.
After Williams lost her job, she became homeless, the lawsuit says. She is seeking unspecified damages and back pay.
Tyda declined to comment on the lawsuit. She now works as the court operations manager for the Family and Probate Division in St. Johnsbury. Her previous position in Washington County is now held by Cheri Goldstein, who did not respond to requests for comment.
David Boyd, an assistant attorney general who often represents state employees in civil litigation, said he is not at liberty to comment on the lawsuit.
John Franco, Williams’ lawyer, said his client would not be commenting further on the case and that he could not give more details on the type of hostile behavior Williams experienced.
Franco said Williams is no longer homeless and that she is now working at a bank in Montpelier.
Williams acquired a consent to sue letter from the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission concerning her allegation, which is required in order to file a suit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Franco said. He said the EEOC did not investigate Williams’ allegations.
