Correctional officers file suit against High Desert

Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 | 9:24 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Eight present or former correctional officers at the High Desert State Prison in Clark County have filed a federal lawsuit claiming they were harassed and were placed in a hostile work environment.

The suit says the eight were subjected to "undue investigations, warnings, suspensions from duty, ridicule, humiliation, assignment changes and other forms of harassment." It seeks more than $150,000 in damages.

The eight officers, all affiliated with the State of Nevada Employees Association, said they were suspended for three and one-half months with pay after Warden James Schomig received a threatening letter. The suit said they were never questioned about the incident and were later recalled to duty.

They said they were later informed that the investigation yielded no evidence of wrongdoing by them.

Glen Whorton, assistant director for the state Department of Corrections, could not be reached for comment on the suit.

The suit said Correctional Officer William M. Clarke was editor of the Green Hornet News, an Internet e-mail publication that was often critical of the administration. Clarke said he was accused of "disgraceful personal conduct, discourtesy, insubordination and unbecoming conduct."

An investigator in the case recommended Clarke be terminated for creating "an unhealthy and corrupt culture." Clark said he resigned before he was fired.

Other officers who filed suit were Loren Chapulin, Samuel Covelli, Robert J. Guadalupe, Craig Porhola, Kevin Ranft, Henry Rees and John Richardson. The officers said they were singled out for disciplinary action and other harassment because of their membership in the state employees association.

Named as defendants were the state, Corrections Department Director Jackie Crawford, Whorton, Schomig, Charles McBurney, the associate warden of the prison, and Patrick Conmay of the inspector general's office.