State pays $157,500 to settle bias lawsuit by prison worker

NEW HAVEN, Mich. (AP) - The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $157,500 to settle a lawsuit by a longtime prison employee who said she was repeatedly passed over for promotions.

Merrianne Weberg sued the Corrections Department in 2017, saying her career had stalled as a shift commander at a prison in Macomb County. She says younger, less-qualified males were promoted over her when she applied for captain or inspector.

In her lawsuit, Weberg says she was told she wouldn't be promoted unless she "got in the car" with an inspector or deputy warden.

Weberg's attorney, James Rasor, says the Corrections Department agreed to settle the lawsuit without admitting any liability. Weberg retired in February, months after filing the lawsuit. She worked for the state for more than 25 years.

Published: Wed, Oct 31, 2018