MAYS LANDING - A discrimination law suit filed by an Atlantic County correction officer against the County of Atlantic was recently tried in U.S. Federal Court in Camden where a jury ruled in favor of the County on August 26, 2010.

The plaintiff, Rhonda Denson Johnson, alleged that she was subjected to discrimination and harassment in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) and Title VII.

A jury of eight individuals found that Ms. Johnson's rights had not been violated by the County or any of its named employees. Had the jury ruled in favor of Ms. Johnson, the County would have been held responsible for all court costs, attorney fees and litigation costs, estimated to be in excess of $500,000.

County Executive Dennis Levinson was pleased with the ruling. "Atlantic County will not back down from defending itself against unsubstantiated allegations that have the potential to hurt our taxpayers."

He further explained that the county has strict anti-discrimination policies. "Each county employee is provided with anti-discrimination education and training in compliance with our zero-tolerance policy. Employees are also instructed where to go and whom to contact if they feel their rights have been compromised."

The County was also successful in defending itself in a 2006 discrimination lawsuit filed by another correction officer.