GAINESVILLE, Fla. —A former Alachua County Sheriff’s Office sergeant has been awarded more than $15 million in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the department under a former sheriff’s administration, The Gainesville Sun reported.
A jury determined that Kevin Davis, who is white, was denied promotions and transfers in favor of less-qualified Black employees under the leadership of former Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr, according to the report. The verdict, delivered by a unanimous six-person jury, includes $15 million in damages and $115,724 for lost wages and benefits. The sheriff’s office is responsible for paying the damages through a risk management fund.
Davis filed the lawsuit in February 2023, citing a pattern of racial bias in hiring and promotions after Watson took office in 2021. According to the complaint, Davis had a strong record of promotions prior to Watson’s tenure and performed well in lieutenant promotional exams. Despite his qualifications, he alleged he was repeatedly overlooked in favor of Black candidates, according to the report.
Wayne Evans, the attorney representing the sheriff’s office, rejected the claims of discrimination, arguing that Davis was not promoted due to his “antagonistic attitude” toward leadership, according to the report. He also pointed out that
Watson approved 150 promotions during his tenure, with 120 going to white employees.
The lawsuit further claimed that Watson required photographs to be attached to promotion and transfer applications, which Davis argued served no purpose other than to confirm an applicant’s race. The complaint also listed several command positions previously held by white employees that Watson reassigned to Black employees, according to the report.
After being denied a promotion in 2022, Davis filed an internal complaint, but human resources informed him the decision was not subject to grievance. In 2023, he alleged that two white employees were promoted to lieutenant in an act of retaliation, despite his superior test scores and experience.
“Upon information and belief, 100% of the Black employees who have been eligible for promotion since Watson became Sheriff have been promoted, based at least in part on their race,” the lawsuit stated.
