PITTSBURGH - The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Presque Isle State Park were sued on March 26 in federal court by a former park ranger who says his supervisor was racist towards him.
Plaintiff Lerrone Jenkins was hired at Presque Isle in March 2019 after more than 10 years of service in the army. Jenkins is an African American, and the only Black park ranger, according to the lawsuit.
Jenkins says that his supervisor, defendant Daniel Powell, treated him differently because of his racist, including making stereotypical comments about African Americans, holding him to different performance standards and assigning him tasks that were not meant for a park ranger, such as custodial duties.
In June of 2020, Powell allegedly said in Jenkins' vicinity that his grandfather "killed his first (N-word) at the age of 12." Powell is accused of referring to Black families who patronized the park as "you people."
The plaintiff says that no action was taken by the defendants when he reported his superior's offensive and derogatory behaviors, and the defendant has even received promotions despite the multiple complaints against him.
The environment became so hostile that Jenkins took a medical leave of absence from his job in October of 2020 and has not yet returned, the suit claims.
The defendants are sued with race discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Equal Protection Clause, the First Amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Jenkins is represented by Olds George Law LLC of Pittsburgh.