VENTURA : 4 Guards Sue County Corrections Agency

Four current and former Ventura County Corrections Services Agency guards sued the agency Tuesday, claiming wrongful discipline, wrongful termination and racial discrimination.

Three of the plaintiffs have been fired by the agency for alleged wrongdoing in recent years. Two of them won their jobs back on appeal.

Corrections Services Deputy Director Calvin Remington denied the allegations in the lawsuit, filed in Superior Court.

“We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that discrimination does not occur,” he said. “The previous disciplinary actions taken against these employees were appropriate.” Three of the plaintiffs are African Americans and one is Polynesian.

Peter Talili, employed at the agency since 1989, was fired in July, 1992, after being falsely accused of assaulting a minor at Juvenile Hall, the lawsuit says. He was put back to work by the Ventura County Civil Service Commission in February, 1993, the suit says, but reassigned to a “less desirable” position.

Arthur Hughes, an employee at the agency since 1983, makes the same general allegations as Talili in the lawsuit. He was also fired in July, 1992, in connection with the incident involving the minor, the lawsuit says.

John DuBose, employed at the agency since 1989, received a two-day suspension after a minor escaped from Juvenile Hall in March, 1992. The next month he was accused of leaving his post and later fired.

Daryl S. Dixon, employed at the agency since 1981, was the target of discrimination and harassment after agreeing to cooperate in Talili’s appeal, the lawsuit charges. Dixon also was the subject of several discipline reports--including one for insubordination and sexual harassment--and not allowed to return to work after a leave of absence for stress, the lawsuit says.