Terry Goddard (D)
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-The Marana Health Center has settled the discrimination case Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard filed against the facility.
The settlement ends a lawsuit Goddard filed in May 2007 that alleged the health care center discriminated against Dr. Joy Mockbee by choosing a less-qualified man for the clinic's medical director position in 2005.
Mockbee had been an associate medical director for Marana Health Center in 2005. She applied for the Center's vacant medical director position when it was posted.
She and the attorney general's office filed lawsuits. They were merged into a single case and moved to federal court in August 2007.
The attorney general's office argued that even though Mockbee had superior qualifications Marana awarded the position to a less-qualified male candidate.
"It is imperative that all Arizonans be treated equally and fairly under the law, regardless of gender," Goddard said announcing the settlement.
Under the consent decree filed in U.S. district court, Marana agreed to develop a written anti-discrimination policy within 60 days and provide its workers with training on employment discrimination within 150 days of the filing.
Mockbee and Marana Health Center entered into a separate confidential settlement agreement.
From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.