DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A lawsuit filed against the Dauphin County Prison claims a supervisor was guilty of retaliation, discrimination, and interfering with medical leave rights, among other federal law violations, starting around 2023.
Raymond Adams started working with the jail in 2001 and was promoted to Lieutenant in June 2022, according to the lawsuit.
Starting in late 2023, Roger Lucas, who worked as Adams’ boss, reportedly subjected him to:
Heightened scrutiny was not applied to similarly situated lieutenantsRepeated criticism over minor or fabricated issuesInitiation of investigations for conduct routinely tolerated in other officersConfrontational and aggressive supervisory interactionsEfforts to provoke Plaintiff into disciplinary situations
In the lawsuit, Adams was investigated and disciplined for conduct that other lieutenants weren’t. Several coworkers reportedly were aware of how Lucas treated Adams.
Around May 28, 2024, Adams submitted a detailed complaint reporting harassment, targeting, retaliation, and other disparaging treatments by Lucas to human resources.
He claimed he was being held to a different standard than the rest of the lieutenants and felt his job was in jeopardy as a result, citing witnesses who would corroborate his claims. Adams openly said Lucas was “looking for reasons” to discipline him and felt the scrutiny he drew was “retaliatory.”
According to Adams, Lucas had a history of similar misconduct to that of other employees.
The lawsuit claimed the facility minimized his complaints during internal reviews and investigations before concluding no policy violations occurred and failed to properly discipline Lucas.
Adams’ attorneys noted how the county acknowledged ongoing issues involving Lucas, but failed to correct his behavior and allowed him to keep supervising despite knowing of the conflict and complaints.
This allowed the hostile work environment to intensify, Adams claimed.
After filing his complaint against Lucas, the facility reportedly escalated disciplinary actions against him, including receiving letters of investigation, increased surveillance, and heightened review of his job performance.
These actions felt retaliatory, according to Adams.
Adams’ attorneys claim he suffers from a mental health condition inhibiting his ability to emotionally regulate and manage his stress responses.
According to medical records documented, Adams suffers from anxiety, depression, and impulse control issues.
As a result, Adams’ condition worsened, prompting him to take leave and seek protection under FMLA.
When word reached the facility that Adams was seeking medical treatment, he was forced to undergo fitness-for-duty evaluations under the guise of being unfit to serve due to his “significant” psychological symptoms.
In attempts to escape his hostile work environment, Adams requested removal from Lucas’ supervision, reassignment, and accommodation consistent with his medical issue. His attorneys claim he even requested reassignment in an effort to avoid continued harassment and keep his job.
Despite all of this, court records show the facility supposedly failed to engage with Adams and ignored his requests before ultimately removing him from his lieutenant role.
Adams’ attorneys noted how he lost his position, his income, his benefits, and his career as a result of his complaints and medical condition.
Adams has requested a jury trial on all counts, according to the lawsuit.