Attorney Concerned with DOJ Agreement on Racial Discrimination Complaint Against Liberty Co. Sheriff’s Office
LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – The Attorney representing a majority of the Delaware State University Woman’s Lacrosse Team has concerns about the Justice Department’s deal with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office to resolve a racial discrimination complaint. Attorney Greg Tarone says he plans to file a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office.
“The emotional distress that has been cast upon these female athletes, as well as the bus driver, has been significant,” Tarone said.
Deputies stopped and searched the bus of the Delaware State University lacrosse team for driving in the left lane on I-95 in April of 2022. Law enforcement did not find any contraband on the bus.
The university then filed a complaint with the Justice Department, accusing the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office of violating the Civil Rights Act.
“Once the deputies got on to the bus and saw that these were Black students the attitude seemed to change,” Tarone said.
An internal investigation by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office found no policies were violated. Sheriff Will Bowman says, “I am confident that race in no way motivated or influenced the traffic stop or other investigatory activities of April 20, 2022.”
Under the terms of the DOJ agreement, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office will review its bias-free policing policies, make what the DOJ calls necessary updates to its policies on traffic enforcement and searches, and develop data collection procedures.
In the statement, Bowman goes on to say, “By our Memorandum of Agreement, I intend to reaffirm my commitment to fair and impartial law enforcement practices whereby all persons are treated with dignity and respect. More specifically, I have pledged to continue my ongoing efforts to modernize the operations of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office in regard to these matters.”
Attorney Greg Tarone says the bus shouldn’t have been pulled over in the first place. He says he and the NAACP are calling for an external investigation from an agency with no bias.
“The Justice Department took the internal investigation for it’s word which I find dubious and cursory treatment of a very serious situation. This was not an external investigation.”
He says he will be filing a lawsuit on behalf the players seeking punitive damages and calling for the deputies to be punished or terminated.
“The 4th amendment to the United States constitution which protects against unreasonable searches will be one cause of action and consideration. The other one will be a violation of title six of the U.S. code the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office will review its bias-free policing policies, make what the DOJ calls necessary updates to its policies on traffic enforcement and searches, and develop data collection procedures.
U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg said in a prepared statement, “Law enforcement is most effective when it is supported by public confidence. The agreement announced today is a step toward ensuring that policing occurs in an evenhanded manner.”
Liberty County Sheriff Will Bowman’s full statement is below:
“I want to thank the Department of Justice for its assistance in addressing the…