Lake City Municipal Judge Christopher Nowlin has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city.
A copy of the lawsuit provided by Nowlin contends that the judge faced racial discrimination and has “suffered continuous retaliation due to his complaints regarding discrimination.”
The lawsuit also alleges that Nowlin was paid differently than other Lake City employees, denied funding for personnel, discriminated against on the basis of his refusal to participate in illegal activity, and asked on several occasions to change rulings.
Nowlin said in a phone interview with the Lake City News & Post on Thursday that he was asked to dismiss drug charges on a case. He said he also was asked to change bond-hearing documents that were already finalized.
Lake City attorney James Epps said in a phone interview Thursday that the city has been served with a lawsuit. Epps said the city has insurance through an insurance reserve fund, which has assigned a lawyer to defend the city against the lawsuit.
Lake City Mayor Lovith Anderson Jr. said in a phone interview Thursday that he can’t comment on the lawsuit.
Nowlin’s attorney, Bonnie Travaglio Hunt of North Charleston, couldn’t be reached for comment by press time.
Nowlin was appointed as municipal judge in September 2006 and began serving the following month.
The lawsuit alleges that Nowlin was subjected to “less favorable terms and conditions of employment than White co-workers” and that Nowlin was making $16 an hour while another employee was making $100 an hour.
On Oct. 22, 2009, Nowlin filed an Equal Employment Opportunity charge of discrimination alleging retaliation, the lawsuit states. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received and reviewed the complaint and Nowlin’s claims were investigated, according to the lawsuit.
Around April 19, the commission issued Nowlin a right to sue, stating: “Based upon its investigation, the EEOC is unable to conclude that the (information) obtained establishes violation of the statutes. This does not certify that the respondent (Lake City) is in compliance with the statutes. No finding is made as to any other issues that might be construed as having been raised by this charge.”
The lawsuit claims that Lake City said Nowlin was not an employee, that Nowlin is subject to only to the South Carolina Supreme Court and that he can’t be removed by the city council. The city can decide, however, not to reappoint Nowlin, the lawsuit states.
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