Black Agents Charge Discrimination in U.S. Alcohol Agency

Lawyers for black special agents of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms charged in a federal court suit filed Friday that the agency discriminates against black agents.

The class-action case was brought by 15 agents on behalf of about 180 other African-American agents for the bureau which enforces violations of gun, alcohol and tobacco laws.

The civil rights violations suit follows recent claims by female agents of sexual harassment against the agency.

The new case charges there is discrimination in hiring, promotion, performance evaluations, discipline, assignments, awards, training and other personnel practices.