The Austin American-Statesman is reporting a white secret service agent has been placed on leave after an African American employee reported finding a noose hanging at the service’s main training facility outside Washington D.C.
Making matters worse:
The alleged incident happened as U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson is expected to decide next month whether to sanction the service for failing to turn over evidence in a long-running lawsuit alleging that the service created a racially hostile atmosphere that tolerated discrimination.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Atlanta native Reginald G. Moore, alleges that the Secret Service routinely discriminates against black agents seeking promotion in favor of white agents who scored lower on promotional exams.
Nearly 60 black agents have submitted sworn statements to the court in support of the lawsuit’s allegations.
Robinson has already sanctioned the service three times since the discovery process of the lawsuit began 3 1/2 years ago.
Via Joe Sudbay (DC) at AMERICAblog, “We’re supposed to believe the Secret Service is the best of the best when it comes to law enforcement. Instead, it sounds like it’s rampant with racism.”