LOUISVILLE (WAVE) – Paul Watkins, a former employee at the Bullitt County Detention Center, is being sued by the county and jailer Watkins. He claims that the jail has a hostile work environment.
Anthony Maddox, former Bullitt County Deputy Jailer, stated that he was forced from office because he was subjected to racist abuses.
Maddox stated that Watkins paraded Maddox as his Black friend and caused other jail employees to call him Uncle Tom, among other racially-charged nicknames.
He quit after Watkins caught on camera making racist comments and sexist comments.
Maddox stated that the video “totally destroyed” me.
Maddox stated that Watkins used the n word when he heard it. He said there was a difference between a Black person and an n-word.
Maddox said that it was difficult to see the scene without the man hiding it or trying to hide anything. It’s like now I feel so numb, I feel sick, and I don’t know if it has traumatized me.
Maddox and two other Black prison employees were invited to Watkins’ republican fundraiser. The recording was made public. Maddox claimed he felt humiliated and that he was forced to leave his job to keep it.
Maddox stated that he felt he was using my body for show.
Bo Bolus, Maddox’s lawyer, stated that he has never seen such bad behavior from an elected official.
Bolus said that I have not seen or drafted any more indictment of a racist public servant in my 30 years of career.
Bolus also included other lawsuits where Watkins and other employees were called racially charged names by Black employees. Bolus stated they want Watkins out of office.
Bolus stated that he seems to not care if the victim is a male, African American or homosexual. However, there has to be a way out.
WAVE tried calling multiple Watkins numbers from his office to the cell phone.
His voicemails were full, and he didn’t respond to any text messages.
Bullitt County claimed it has not been served with the lawsuit.
Watkins is up to reelection in May’s primary.
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