A federal jury has found DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox liable for creating a hostile work environment for female jail officers and ordered her to pay $250,000 in damages. The ruling came after six former staffers filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Maddox in 2022, alleging a pervasive culture of harassment at the DeKalb County Jail.
The lawsuit detailed a range of issues faced by female officers, including constant exposure to inmates engaging in sexually explicit behavior and concerns over compromised cell door locks, creating a dangerous and uncomfortable workplace. According to court filings, former officers reported these conditions to their commanders and Sheriff Maddox, but alleged their complaints were not adequately addressed. One former staffer, who worked at the jail for 16 years, stated that the hostile environment worsened under Maddox's tenure.
Attorneys for the former staffers expressed satisfaction with the jury's verdict. James Radford, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told the Daily Mail that the county had vigorously contested the case. He added that the jury's decision validated the evidence presented and the concerns of the former employees.
The $250,000 award, which includes damages and attorney's fees, will be paid by DeKalb County, though the specific budget source remains unclear. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office has declined to comment on the ruling, and Maddox's attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment.
One of the former officers, who requested anonymity, emphasized that the lawsuit was primarily about accountability and change, not just financial compensation. She stated that the sentiment that such harassment is simply "part of the job" is unacceptable and that accountability should extend to the highest levels of leadership within the sheriff's office.
This verdict comes several months after a separate incident in December, where three inmates escaped from the DeKalb County Jail. At the time, Sheriff Maddox described the jail as an "aging facility that´s deteriorating right before our eyes." The escaped inmates were apprehended the following day.