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Discrimination suit against Maryland State Police will go forward

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Discrimination suit against Maryland State Police will go forward


A federal judge ruled that an employment discrimination lawsuit brought against Maryland State Police has merit and can move forward, after the police department tried to have the case dismissed.

For years, some Maryland State Police officers of color have described a racist work environment.

A 2021 News4 investigation into department data showed more white officers promoted to higher ranks and specialty units compared to their Black colleagues. Black officers disproportionately accounted for harsher discipline, transfers and demotions.

“We want a police force that promotes officers based on merit, that holds officers accountable for true misconduct and doesn’t mete out discipline in truly discriminatory ways,” said attorney Michal Shinnar, who represents Byron Tribue, a current officer, along with two other current and former officers who are suing the department.

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All say they have been victims of discrimination and retaliation that have affected their careers.

A federal judge now has determined their claims should be heard in court, allowing their civil lawsuit against the state police agency to move forward.

“It’s been a long time coming. A tough battle. A long road. And I’m just happy that a judge was able to side with us and we can move forward and show the evidence that we have,” Tribue said.

“This is not the story of one individual like Mr. Tribue who has been harmed by discrimination. These are patterns and practices that exist in the Maryland State Police,” Shinnar said.

The lawsuit originally named former Superintendent Woodrow Jones and current Superintendent Roland Butler, who was appointed last year, becoming the first Black man to lead the troopers. The judge dismissed those individual claims.

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“We don’t see Mr. Butler as someone who is a new face of MSP leadership. He has a long history, and he has been in leadership while these actions have been ongoing,” Shinnar said.

In a statement, Maryland State Police said: “Today, the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) learned its motion to dismiss the civil suit (Title VII) was granted in part and denied in part. The MDSP remains committed to providing the highest quality of law enforcement services to the people of Maryland while ensuring the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.”

Maryland State Police was one of three agencies asked to explain what’s being done to improve culture within their departments. News4’s Tracee Wilkins reports.

“Since being confirmed as MDSP Superintendent in March 2023, Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. has taken and will continue to take action to address even the perception of racism or unfair treatment of any kind,” the statement continued. “The dedicated troopers and civilian employees of the Department will continue to serve and protect the people of our state with the highest degree of integrity, fairness, and selfless service.”

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit said they hope this will become a class action lawsuit in which additional officers can get involved. The judge will have to decide.

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The U.S. Department of Justice also is investigating hiring practices, training, promotions and discipline within Maryland State Police.

Tribue told News4 what he would like to see next.

“Well, first, I would like to see change – change for myself, my current coworkers and the ones in front of me. That’s yet to come,” he said.



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Severn scratch-off makes player a millionaire as Maryland Lottery pays $31.8M in prizes

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Severn scratch-off makes player a millionaire as Maryland Lottery pays .8M in prizes


A scratch-off ticket sold in Severn turned one Maryland Lottery player into a millionaire, leading a week in which the Lottery paid out more than $31.8 million in prizes statewide.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming said it paid more than $31.8 million in prizes from Feb. 23 through March 1, including 36 tickets worth $10,000 or more.

The top scratch-off prize claimed during that period was a $1 million winning $1,000,000 Crossword ticket sold at the Walmart at 407 George Clauss Boulevard in Severn. Another top winner was a $100,000 Red 5’s Doubler ticket sold at the Carroll Motor Fuel station at 2535 Cleanleigh Drive in Parkville.

Other scratch-off prizes claimed Feb. 23 through March 1 included two $50,000 winners: a 200X the Cash ticket sold at the Wawa at 7501 Pulaski Highway in Rosedale, and a $5,000,000 Luxe ticket sold at the Spring Hill Lake Mini Market at 9240 Spring Hill Lane in Greenbelt. A $30,000 Diamond Bingo 6th Edition ticket was sold at Tempo Lounge at 402 Back River Neck Road in Essex.

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ALSO READ | SUN | Maryland GOP unveils energy plan it says saves customers up to $40 a month

The Lottery also reported three $20,000 scratch-off winners, all on $1,000,000 Crossword tickets sold at Geresbeck’s Food Market at 8489 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena; Hillandale Beer and Wine at 10117 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring; and Paddock Wine and Spirits at 7627 Woodbine Road in Woodbine.

The Lottery reminded players to sign the backs of tickets and keep winning tickets in a safe location.

The Lottery said the last dates to claim scratch-off tickets are posted on the scratch-offs page at mdlottery.com.

More information is available at mdlottery.com.

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned


Advocacy groups are raising concerns over a warehouse in Washington County that is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility after dozens of black SUVs were moved to the warehouse’s parking lot on Sunday.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community,” said the organizer of Hagerstown Rapid Response, Claire Connor. “We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

The 825,620-square-foot warehouse is located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport. Access to the facility was blocked by orange traffic barriers and signs outlining regulations and “governing conduct on federal property” with the Department of Homeland Security emblem at the top of the page.

In late January, Washington County issued a news release stating that on Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the county’s historic district commission and department of planning and zoning regarding the property.

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Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website.



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Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

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Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia


An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.

Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.

According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.

ALSO READ | Gas leak explosion, fire in Prince George’s County leaves 1 injured

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Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.

No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.

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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.



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