A Cole County jury has found the Missouri Department of Corrections liable for age discrimination, awarding a former probation and parole officer one-point-seven million dollars.
The verdict was handed down September 25. According to the officer’s attorneys, the jury found the DOC violated the Missouri Human Rights Act by discriminating against the 27-year veteran and taking steps to terminate her.
The lawsuit alleged senior management used ageist language and pushed older employees out.
The officer was fired six months after the DOC accused her of having a firearm in a secure area.
Her attorneys said she had been helping police restrain an inmate who escaped his handcuffs.