News

State pays $395K to settle prison discrimination lawsuit

State pays $395K to settle prison discrimination lawsuit

Photo: clipart.com


WARREN, Maine (AP) The state is paying $395,000 to a former corrections officer to settle her claims of harassment and discrimination.

Autumn Dinsmore resigned as a corrections officer this month as part of the settlement of her lawsuit filed last year. There was no admission of wrongdoing by the Maine Department of Corrections.

Dinsmore worked at the Maine State Prison and Bolduc Correctional Facility.

In her federal lawsuit, she said the department created a hostile work environment because of her gender and sexual orientation and that she endured sexual harassment.

The lawsuit said Dinsmore was subjected to sexual overtures by male co-workers who asked her to send nude photos and who sent nude photos of themselves via Snapchat. Male co-workers also told her female corrections officers were unfit for prison work because of an assumption they would have relationships with male prisoners.

The Maine Human Rights Commission previously sided with Dinsmore, saying there was evidence to support her claims of discrimination and a hostile work environment.

Latest Headlines

10 hours ago in Local

Struck-down Maine citizen’s referendum on super PAC donations heads to appeals court

Despite getting over 75% of the vote, a Portland judge deemed the referendum unconstitutional this past summer, citing the ruling made by the Supreme Court on the 2010 Citizen's United case.

23 hours ago in Local

Police find missing teen after vehicle pursuit in Skowhegan

A missing teenager was found in the vehicle of a Norridgewock man who police say led them on a chase in Skowhegan on Thursday.

23 hours ago in Local

Maine State Police seeking information about bank fraud suspect in Aroostook County and Bangor

A woman is wanted for bank fraud in Bangor and Aroostook County.

1 day ago in Local

What to Know About Maine U.S. Senate Race

Democrats are hoping to unseat Republican Susan Collins.

2 days ago in Local

Drought Gets Worse Across Maine Impacting Drinking Water

Drought conditions across the state have worsened over the past week.