From left, Meadors, Negron, Ranni, Legg, Reyes

KINGSTON - Though all four women who filed a federal complaint against Ulster County earlier this week shared the same concerns their stories of mistreatment at the Ulster County Jail were all unique.

The women claim gender discrimination in their federal lawsuit against the county, a suit that names current Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum, past Sheriff Richard Bockelman, and other jail officials.

Three of the four women named told their stories at a Kingston law office on Thursday.

Officer Annmarie Legg, of Catskill, is a 12-year veteran of the force who claims to have encountered several infrastructural barriers on both occasions when she became pregnant over the past few years. 

“They did not give a damn. They said, quote-unquote, ‘we didn’t tell you to get knocked up’.”

Officer Patricia Meadors, a seven-year veteran from Shandaken, claimed she has constantly been called "inappropriate words" over the years because she is a lesbian. She said she has been called a "dyke, among other things."  She has also been passed up for promotions four times since joining the Ulster County law enforcement agency in 2002.

Nancy Reyes was a corrections officer for Ulster County for 26 years until she was terminated last year after filing a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, something all four women did around the same time.  Reyes, like the other three, alleged to the commission that the Ulster County Jail was a hostile work environment.

Tricia Watson, of Saugerties, was also named as a plaintiff in the suit. Though unavailable for comment, attorney Joseph Ranni, who represents all four plaintiffs, said her complaints also include sexual harassment and wrongful denial of promotions.

Officer Amy Negron, of Saugerties, who filed a similar action against the county in 2008, was there to lend her support.

Along with personal stories from each of the women, evidence including pornography and other graphic posters were found to be displayed in offices around the jail, something the plaintiffs also felt contributed to their claims of inappropriate behavior. Those posters were made available to the media during the news conference, but were too graphic to be illustrated for this story.

Ranni said it is “absolutely inconceivable” that a woman, or any person, could be subject to “discomfort like this in their workplace.”

He is seeking two kinds of relief from the court. The lawsuit seeks affirmative relief; the establishment of affirmative action, a complaint procedure, an investigative procedure and aggressive corrective action taken.

He is also seeking monetary damages.

According to Ranni, the EEOC found in their investigations into the Ulster County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division evidence that proved complaint procedures and "good-faith corrective action" were not being taken when the women filed internal complaints. Ranni said the findings act as "muscle for the federal lawsuit," which the women said they hope changes the culture of employment at the county jail for future employees.

County officials said since the case involves litigation, they could not comment on it.