Muslim deputy in Florida claims discrimination in lawsuit

Author: the associated press
Published:
MGN Online

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A former Muslim deputy of Arab descent is suing a sheriff’s office in central Florida, claiming religious and ethnic discrimination and harassment.

Waleed Albakri filed the civil rights lawsuit in federal court on Thursday.

The former undercover vice detective says he was fired from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office last year after he complained about the discrimination and harassment. He had worked at the sheriff’s office for six years.

He says other deputies called him a “terrorist” and made anti-Arab slurs. He says his supervisor didn’t stop the harassment and laughed at it.

He also says he was denied a promotion he deserved, and that deputies retaliated against him when he made a compliant to internal affairs.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jane Watrel says the agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

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