Sheriff Walter R. Moore, Sexual Harassment, Alabama 2024

Mobile County Sheriff Walter R. Moore has landed in hot water after a federal investigation uncovered widespread sexual harassment of female corrections officers at the Mobile County Metro Jail. The victims, who wish to remain anonymous, reported being subjected to severe and pervasive sexual harassment by male inmates, including frequent exposure of genitalia, masturbation, and lewd comments.

According to sources, the female corrections officers, who were assigned to the jail’s housing units, were repeatedly subjected to unwanted advances, including sexual propositions, threats of sexual violence, and sexually degrading comments. Despite numerous complaints to jail supervisors, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office failed to take the allegations seriously, leaving the victims to suffer in silence.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke warned that employers have a duty to protect their employees from sexual harassment in the workplace. ‘Just like any other workplace, jails must take steps necessary to ensure that female employees are not subject to a sexually hostile work environment in any form,’ she said.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Sheriff Moore will pay $2.02 million into a settlement fund to compensate the victims. The agreement also requires the sheriff to develop a comprehensive inmate sexual misconduct policy, train all jail employees on the new policy, and maintain a dedicated housing area for inmates found guilty of sexual misconduct.

As part of the settlement, the sheriff will also appoint an Inmate Sexual Misconduct Disciplinary Hearing Officer to monitor and track compliance with the new policy. The lawsuit is part of the Civil Rights Division’s Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Initiative, aimed at eradicating sexual harassment in state and local government workplaces.

The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Employment Litigation Section is available on its websites www.justice.gov/crt and www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section.

The victims, who were subjected to this heinous treatment, will finally receive the justice they deserve. This settlement sends a strong message to employers that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in any form. We will continue to fight for the rights of victims of sexual harassment and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

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