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, a former Bullitt County deputy jailer, said that he was forced out of his job after being subject to racism.
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.
After Watkins caught him making racist and sexist remarks, he quit.
Maddox stated, “When the video was released, that completely destroyed me. There’s no way I can go back and do work for him.”
Maddox said that Watkins was using the n–word when he heard him. He also said there is a difference in a Black man and an N-word.
Maddox said that it was difficult to see the scene without the guy hiding it or trying to cover it up. It’s almost like I’m so numb that I’m sick. I don’t know if I was traumatized by it.
Maddox and two other Black employees in jail were invited by Watkins to a republican fundraiser. Maddox stated that he felt forced into the job to maintain his job and was humiliated.
Maddox said that I felt like he was using to me 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 never seen or drafted in my 30-year history a more damning indictment against a racist public servant who should be fired.
Bolus included other lawsuits in evidence, where Watkins and other employees called Black employees with racially charged names. Bolus stated that they want Watkins to be removed from office.
Bolus said that Bolus seems to care little if it’s a gay man, African American woman, or homosexual.
WAVE tried calling multiple Watkins numbers from his office to the cell phone.
All his voicemails were full so he did not reply to a text message.
Bullitt County claimed it has not been served with the lawsuit.
Watkins will be up for reelection during the May primary.
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