Lee County Clerk of Court Kevin Kearnes is facing a discrimination lawsuit from a former longtime employee.
Terry Barris, who is Black, says he endured endless race-based harassment and discrimination.
Barris' claims include having to use his personal cell phone to get permission to use the restroom, being the only employee who had to get permission for work supplies, being not permitted to freely take breaks, and being assigned a much heavier workload. He said other employees who were not Black were not subject to the same treatment.
Barris also claims a manager referred to him as a “mail-opening fool."
The lawsuit adds that less than 2% of Karnes's staff is Black. Neither Barris' attorney nor Karnes would comment pending the lawsuit.