Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Officers Of Color Suing After They Were Allegedly Barred From Interacting With George Floyd's Killer In Jail

Officers Of Color Suing After They Were Allegedly Barred From Interacting With George Floyd's Killer In Jail
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

A lawsuit filed by eight people of color who work as corrections officers alleges that they were prohibited from guarding or interacting in any way with Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed George Floyd last spring.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, all officers of color were moved to a separate floor of the correctional facility where Chauvin was held on the day he arrived.


The lawsuit filed on behalf of the eight officers, who identify as Black, Hispanic and Pacific Islander, alleges racial discrimination and a hostile work environment.


The allegations in the 30-page lawsuit—filed in Ramsey County District Court Tuesday morning—paint an eyebrow-raising picture of the operations at the Ramsey County jail during Chauvin's stay last summer.

In addition to the transfer of all non-White officers to another floor of the facility, a Black sergeant was forbidden by the jail's White superintendent from transferring Chauvin to his cell solely because of his race. Another Black officer was removed and replaced by a White officer in the middle of patting Chauvin down upon his arrival at the jail.

Two other officers said they saw surveillance footage of a White female officer being granted "special access" to Chauvin's cell, during which she sat on Chauvin's bed and loaned him her cell phone, in violation of policy. That officer was previously identified in communications between lawyers and the local Sheriff's office as Lieutenant Lugene Werner, who is related to Chauvin's sister by marriage.

Werner denies the allegations against her and declined to speak about her relationship to Chauvin.

In a statement last summer, jail Superintendent Steve Lydon claimed the segregation was to protect the officers from Chauvin, given the extreme emotions related to George Floyd's murder.

As he explained in the statement:

"Recognizing that the murder of George Floyd was likely to create a particularly acute radicalized trauma, I felt I had an immediate duty to protect and support employees who may have been traumatized and may have heightened ongoing trauma by having to deal with Chauvin..."
"Out of care and concern, and without the comfort of time, I made a decision to limit exposure to employees of color to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate those feelings."

But the officers say no reason was ever communicated to them at any time.

In the lawsuit, Minneapolis attorney Lucas Kaster explained Lydon's decision to segregate the officers injured their credibility and undermined the facility's safety.

"Credibility is critical to maintaining safety in a jail environment... [The] segregation order tarnished [the officers'] credibility and reputation and prohibited them from completing their job duties professionally."


On Twitter, many were appalled by the revelations alleged in the lawsuit.










All eight officers—some of whom have worked for Ramsey County for 10 years—expressed shock at the incident, which they called the "most overtly discriminatory act" they've experienced during their tenure.

More from Trending

Teachers Share The Questions Students Asked In Class That Broke Their Hearts

Being a teacher is a calling.

It is not for the meek or weak of heart.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Emily Compagno
Fox News

Fox Host Slams Dem For Dropping An F-Bomb After Praising Trump For The Same Thing Just Minutes Earlier

Fox News host Emily Compagno was criticized after she praised Donald Trump's use of the "f-bomb" earlier this week before condemning Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett's use of the same word—on the same episode of her show, no less.

Trump made headlines this week after admonishing Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire agreement he'd announced on Truth Social. Although he claimed the ceasefire had been "agreed upon," Iran fired at least six missile barrages at Israel after it was supposed to take effect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ken Jennings; Emily Croke
@Jeopardy/Instagram

Champ's Wild Final Jeopardy Connection

In a dramatic conclusion on last Monday’s Jeopardy!, a contestant revealed a surprising relationship to the final clue's answer. Hailing from Denver, Emily Croke made it to the final write-in portion of the game show with $12,200 in earnings.

In the category of “Collections,” host Ken Jennings read the clue:

Keep ReadingShow less
State Department logo illustration
Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

State Department Slammed After Requiring Visa Applicants To Make All Social Media Posts Public For Vetting

The State Department is facing harsh criticism after it announced that anyone applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa will need to disclose all social media profiles from the last five years, requiring that all applicants set their posts to public so they can be properly vetted by its agents.

The agency said the new rules are part of a new screening process aimed at identifying individuals who may pose a threat to U.S. national security. According to the department, failure to comply could result in a denial, and consular officers have been instructed to flag signs of “hostility” toward the U.S.—though the criteria for such determinations remain vague.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Tiny Chef Show being canceled
@thetinychefshow/TikTok

Heartbreaking Animated Video Announcing Emmy-Winning Show's Cancellation Has The Internet Sobbing

Whether or not you've heard of the show, Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show has been turning heads. Not only is it a show that children love, but it's an Emmy Award winner.

Despite all of this adorable, pea-sized chef's success, and a Minion-like voice to boot, the show appears to be canceled.

Keep ReadingShow less