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Plaintiff alleges former employer City of Abbeville Police Department for Sexual Harassment

LOUISIANA RECORD

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Plaintiff alleges former employer City of Abbeville Police Department for Sexual Harassment

Federal Court
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Jerry Edwards, Jr., Judge at USDC Western District Louisiana | https://connect.vermontlaw.edu/

Officer Quaylain Brown, a former police officer, has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, the City of Abbeville, alleging severe workplace misconduct and retaliation. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on October 31, 2024, naming the City of Abbeville and several individuals including Shawna Miguez and Chief Mike Hardy as defendants.

The case revolves around disturbing allegations of sexual harassment and assault that Officer Brown claims to have endured during his tenure at the Abbeville Police Department. According to the complaint, dispatcher Shawna Miguez subjected Brown to repeated verbal and physical abuse, culminating in an incident where she allegedly tackled him and grabbed his genitals. This incident was reportedly captured on video and witnessed by other department employees. Despite reporting these actions to Chief Mike Hardy, Brown alleges that his concerns were dismissed with Hardy characterizing Miguez's behavior as merely "goofy."

In response to Brown's suggestion of legal action against Miguez, Chief Hardy allegedly retaliated by initiating an Internal Affairs investigation into Brown himself. Further accusations include attempts by city officials to coerce Brown into dropping his complaint against Miguez in exchange for halting the internal investigation against him. When Brown refused this alleged extortion attempt, he faced continued retaliation which included being passed over for promotions and receiving undue disciplinary actions.

Officer Brown eventually resigned from the department due to ongoing harassment and retaliation fears. He has since received a right-to-sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) following a formal charge filed on July 19, 2024. The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief including economic damages for lost wages and benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages against those responsible for intentional harm, as well as attorney’s fees.

Representing Officer Quaylain Brown are attorneys William Most and David Lanser from Most & Associates based in New Orleans. The case is presided over under Case ID 6:24-cv-01494.

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