Jocelyn Benson (left) and Angela Harness
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office agreed last month to pay $775,000 to a department director, more than a year after the employee filed a notice of intent to sue the department, The Detroit News reports.
Angela Harness, the former director of quality and customer experience for the Department of State, filed a notice of intent to sue in the Michigan Court of Claims against the department, Benson, and several department staff members, alleging that she was subjected to a "racially hostile environment" at her Detroit office.
Beth LeBlanc of The News reports:
The Michigan Department of State admitted no wrongdoing in its July 25 agreement with Angela Harness, the former director of quality and customer experience for the Department of State, but argued the agreement was a way to avoid the cost and time of litigation, according to a copy obtained by The Detroit News.
The Department of State on Friday said, prior to reaching the agreement with Harness, the staff filed multiple complaints regarding her "management, hiring practices and exercise of authority."
Harness alleged her authority and duties were reduced in late 2023 and she was treated differently than "similarly situated White and male coworkers."
Benson, a Democrat, is running for governor in the 2026 election.
