Harassment Lawsuit Filed Against DeSoto Parish DA, Police Jury

The DeSoto Parish Police Jury's Community Services Director has filed a lawsuit against the police jury and several specific parish leaders.

Mary Mayfield, who was employed by the police jury since 2010, alleges she was discriminated against because of her sex, was sexually harassed, subjected to a hostile work environment, retaliated against and constructively discharged for filing sexual harassment complaints with her employer and with EEOC, and for opposing and refusing to participate in practices involving racial discrimination.

Mayfield names Police Jury President Reggie Roe, Parish Administrator Steve Brown and DeSoto District Attorney Gary Evans in her lawsuit.

Her attorney Fred Sutherland tells KEEL News the lawsuit papers have been served to the defendants, but he hasn't heard anything from them yet.

"We did attempt to try to resolve the matter amicably before we filed the suit. We were unsuccessful in trying to do that," Sutherland said. "So my client was really left with no choice but to go ahead and try to protect her interests in court. And that's where we are."

Sutherland said Mayfield is under a doctor's care as a result of the stress she underwent at work. He said she detailed her grievances in a lengthy letter of resignation, dated 9/17/15. You can read that, along with the lawsuit, below.