Justice Department Sues Mississippi Senate Over Racial Pay Discrimination
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a federal lawsuit against the Mississippi State Senate, alleging racial discrimination against Kristie Metcalfe, a Black attorney who served in the Legislative Services Office (LSO) for nearly eight years. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, the lawsuit claims Metcalfe was consistently underpaid in comparison to her white colleagues despite holding equivalent job responsibilities.
The lawsuit alleges that Metcalfe’s initial salary, set in 2011, was significantly lower than any LSO attorney over the previous three decades. While her white counterparts received salary increases shortly after her hiring, Metcalfe’s pay was stagnant, creating a persistent salary disparity. The complaint details her repeated appeals for equitable compensation, which were reportedly ignored by Senate officials. Notably, the Senate continued to recruit white attorneys at higher salaries, even hiring individuals with less relevant experience at pay rates surpassing Metcalfe’s.
Kristie Metcalfe’s experience exemplifies what the Justice Department identifies as systemic pay discrimination. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division emphasized the lawsuit as a vital effort against unfair pay practices, stating that Metcalfe was compensated at approximately half the rate of her white peers, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit seeks to rectify this injustice by requesting back pay and compensatory damages for Metcalfe, along with an injunction to prevent ongoing discriminatory practices. Clarke reiterated the commitment to eradicating race-based pay disparities, stating, “Our work to eliminate race-based pay disparities is about promoting compliance with the law and promoting equity and fairness for all workers.”
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