United States of America v. The South Dakota Department of Social Services

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Case Number:

5:15-cv-05079

Court:

South Dakota

Nature of Suit:

Civil Rights: Employment

Judge:

Jeffrey L. Viken

Firms

  1. January 30, 2020

    Social Services Dept. Settles Native American Hiring Bias Suit

    The South Dakota Department of Social Services will pay out $350,000 to settle a suit in which the federal government accused the agency of intentionally discriminating against Native American job applicants.

  2. September 26, 2018

    SD Dept. Can't Shake Native American Hiring Bias Suit

    A South Dakota federal judge has found for the federal government on dueling quick win requests in litigation accusing the state’s Department of Social Services of intentional bias against Native American job applicants at one of its locations, saying the U.S. made a sufficient initial showing of discriminatory practices.

  3. September 27, 2017

    Feds Fight Bid For Win In Native American Hiring Bias Suit

    The federal government asked a South Dakota federal judge on Tuesday to shoot down the state's Department of Social Services' bid for a quick win in the United States' suit alleging intentional bias against Native American job applicants, saying the state's arguments "ring hollow" in the face of statistical and anecdotal evidence.

  4. September 06, 2017

    Feds, SD Ask For Quick Wins In Native American Bias Suit

    The South Dakota Department of Social Services and the federal government each asked a federal judge on Tuesday for quick wins in the United States' suit alleging intentional bias against Native American job applicants, with the DSS saying the federal government can't show the department operates under a general policy of bias.

  5. January 15, 2016

    Feds Urge Split Of Native Discrimination Suit Against SD

    The federal government urged a South Dakota federal judge Thursday to divide its suit alleging the state's Department of Social Services illegally denied jobs to well-qualified Native American job applicants in favor of white applicants, arguing the government should be allowed to prove a discriminatory pattern before individual claims are tackled.

  6. November 04, 2015

    DOJ Hits SD Social Services Dept. With Discrimination Suit

    The federal government sued the South Dakota Department of Social Services in federal court on Tuesday, accusing the agency of repeatedly passing over well-qualified Native American job applicants in its Pine Ridge Reservation Office in favor of lesser-qualified white job applicants.