A veteran corrections officer claims she was denied a key promotion by her employer despite decades of service and relevant experience, alleging that less qualified candidates were favored instead. The complaint was filed by Ora Lee Carter in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on April 2, 2026, naming the Michigan Department of Corrections as defendant.
According to the court filing, Carter began working for the department in April 1997 and currently holds the position of Assistant Deputy Warden at Thumb Correctional Facility. She alleges that her extensive leadership experience, including roles as Captain and Acting Inspector, made her well-qualified for advancement to Deputy Warden. Despite this background, Carter states she was subjected to heightened scrutiny and adverse employment actions after seeking promotion.
The lawsuit details a series of events beginning with Carter’s interview for the Deputy Warden position on March 10, 2025. Shortly after her interview, Carter reports that the job posting was removed or suspended. On March 27, 2025, she was informed that the position would not be filled. However, just days later on March 30, a white male employee was placed into the Acting Deputy Warden role. Carter claims this individual did not possess her qualifications or facility-specific knowledge.
Carter further outlines ongoing efforts to address operational issues at Thumb Correctional Facility through emails sent to supervisors in April and May 2025. In these communications—attached as exhibits to the complaint—she describes having to return documents with errors from subordinates and notes how this affected her workload and performance evaluations.
After a second interview for Deputy Warden on July 8, 2025, Carter followed up with management about the status of the position but learned it remained open. She asserts that despite her qualifications and follow-up efforts, she was not promoted. Instead, she alleges that “Defendant thereafter selected, favored, or retained a Caucasian male for the Deputy Warden position or its duties.” The complaint also claims that following her pursuit of promotion she faced “heightened scrutiny,” allegations of policy violations, and disciplinary write-ups which were “disproportionate and selectively applied” compared to similarly situated white or male employees.
On December 17, 2025, Carter received a written reprimand from facility leadership. She contends this disciplinary action rendered her ineligible for future promotional opportunities for approximately two years—a development she says materially harmed her career progression by causing loss of income and professional standing as well as emotional distress.
The legal arguments presented include counts under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for both race discrimination (because Carter is African American) and sex discrimination (because she is female). The complaint states: “Defendant’s conduct constituted unlawful discrimination against Plaintiff because of her race,” and similarly alleges sex-based disparate treatment regarding promotions and discipline.
Carter reports that all administrative prerequisites were met before filing suit: she submitted Charge No. 471-2025-07524 with both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Michigan Department of Civil Rights alleging discrimination related to failure to promote. On February 23, 2026, EEOC issued a Dismissal and Notice of Rights letter stating it would not proceed further but authorizing Carter’s right to sue within ninety days—a deadline which this lawsuit meets.
In terms of relief sought from the court, Carter requests several remedies: a declaration that MDOC violated Title VII; injunctive relief including expungement of negative employment records; instatement or promotion into either the Deputy Warden role or an equivalent position; back pay with interest; compensatory damages; attorney fees; costs; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by attorney Dionne E. Webster-Cox of Webster Law Office PLLC in Southfield, Michigan. The case number is 2:26-cv-11082-LJM-EAS.
Source: 226cv11082_Ora_Lee_v_Michigan_Department_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan.pdf
