Federal Jury Returns Verdict of $3.2 Million
A federal jury in Houston has returned a verdict against a former County Judge of $3.2 million. James Blackstock, a former Brazoria County Court-at-Law Judge and former head of the Juvenile Probation Board was sued for sexual harassment by three female employees of the Juvenile Probation department. The jury found the judge had created a hostile work environment and had physically assaulted one of the employees.
The three women had complained the judge had hugged, groped, fondled, kissed them, and he had emailed them explicit photos. In their lawsuit, they claimed the judge had preyed upon female employees for years with no repercussions. Brazoria County and the Juvenile Board had previously settled with the plaintiffs for $135,000. See Houston Chronicle report.
The former judge had previously resigned his Board position after pleading no contest to charges of official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor.
