Former Richland employee's discrimination case forwarded to federal agency
Share and Follow


DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A case against a Decatur community college is being forwarded to a federal office one year after the investigation began, a move lawyers say is a massive step.

Last month, WCIA reported the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found “reasonable cause” to believe that former Richland Community College employee Jennifer Reichart was fired based on her sex, and for investigating discriminatory practices by Richland’s President, Dr. Cristobal Valdez.

The change is the agency now leading the investigation. The EEOC just forwarded the case to the Department of Justice.

Reichart was hired by Richland in 2022 as the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and was also the Title IX coordinator. She said she was discriminated against for opposing Valdez’s “retaliatory conduct,” and raising concerns about harassment of women.

Reichart’s lawyer, David Fish, said the EEOC has been trying to facilitate an agreement between both parties but were not able to.

“The main thing that Dr. Reichart wants is to have the retaliation stop,” Fish said. “She wants Richland to be a place where people can work without threat of any type of harassment. They should feel free to speak up, and she no longer wants that to occur there.”

Fish said only 3% of these cases are sent to the DOJ.

He also said he’s not sure when the case will start because of the government shutdown. However, Fish said they will file it within the next 90 days. WCIA reached out to Richland Community College and their board but did not receive an immediate response back.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Netanyahu Aims to Announce Upcoming Release of All Hostages in Gaza

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he…

LIVE RADAR: Central Florida’s Tropical Rains Expected to Persist into Next Week

ORLANDO, Fla. – There are a few different things contributing to a…

Emory & Henry Triumphs Over Carson-Newman in SAC Showdown

EMORY, Va. (WJHL) – Carson-Newman contained one of the South Atlantic Conference’s…

From coast to coast, these haunted houses deliver the biggest scares

(NEXSTAR) – It’s that time of the year again, leaves are falling,…

Visibility Issues in Central Illinois Due to Drought and Harvest Dust

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Drought conditions and harvesting season are proving to…

Investigation Underway by SLED for Edisto Beach House Fire Linked to South Carolina Circuit Court Judge; Trio Sustains Injuries

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – An investigation is underway on Edisto Beach…

Three People Arrested in Washington County for Attempting to Smuggle Items into Prison.

WASHINGTON Co., Ga. () – Early Friday morning, just after midnight, a…

Bad Bunny kicks off 'SNL' 51st season with a group of new faces and jabs at his Super Bowl critics

NEW YORK (AP) — Bad Bunny kicked off the 51st season of â€œSaturday…