FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – A former captain in Franklin County’s Department of Public Safety has filed a federal lawsuit alleging sex-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation within the department.
Rena Clark Jennings, who previously served as captain of operations, filed the 22-page complaint in federal court outlining what she describes as a pattern of inappropriate behavior and discriminatory treatment by department leadership.
According to the lawsuit, Jennings was initially denied a promotion despite receiving multiple recommendations and being the most qualified for the job. The suit alleges one official said he was “too afraid” to give her the position because she was a woman. Jennings was later promoted, but the complaint claims discriminatory behavior continued…