The Duval County Sheriff’s Department has agreed to settle a claim of employment discrimination against US Army Reservist Jonathan J. Melendez, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez and Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division.
Jonathan J. Melendez, a US Army Reservist, was hired as a Deputy Sheriff on March 14, 2014, by the Duval County Sheriff’s Department. On Oct. 8, 2015, Melendez enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. Martinez alleged that Duval County discriminated against him in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) on four occasions.
These occasions include Melendez’s termination from the Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 1, 2016, while he was on leave for active military duty, his belated rehire upon his return from military duty in April 2016, and his termination again in October 2016 after he continued to pursue a USERRA lost wages claim against his former employer.
“Members of our armed service’s reserve forces make many sacrifices, including spending months or years away from their jobs and families,” said Martinez. “When they are deployed in the service of our country, their employment rights must be protected. They are entitled to retain their civilian employment and to the protections of federal law that prevent them from being subject to discrimination based upon their military obligations.”
“The legal rights of members of our armed forces, who sacrifice their lives every day defending our nation and its freedoms, must be respected,” said Gore. “This settlement sends a strong message that the Civil Rights Division is steadfast in its efforts to protect the rights of our servicemembers, their families, and all veterans of the United States.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Duval County has agreed to compensate Melendez for his lost wages and benefits and pay him liquidated damages.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas represents Melendez in this matter and the parties have reached a settlement resolving all of his claims.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Employment Discrimination
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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