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Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson
Four Black employees are suing Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, accusing her agency and several senior officials of race-based discrimination, retaliation for complaining about unfair treatment, and maintaining a racially hostile workplace, WDIV reports.
The complaint, filed last Saturday in Wayne County Circuit Court by attorney Leonard Mungo, names Benson, the agency, Chief Operating Officer Jackie Venton, Chief of Staff Christina Anderson, Division Administrator John Strodtbeck, and labor-relations specialist Brittany Edwards.
The plaintiffs are David Murray, Elvine VanBolden, Mychael Foster, and Nirva Civilus.
The suit alleges, for example, that plaintiff David Murray, an executive office analyst, was hired in August 2023 but was denied a pay increase that his white colleagues received, WDIV reports. He also alleges he was passed over in April 2025 for a promotion to a youth engagement specialist position in favor of a less-qualified white applicant.
The agency’s Chief Communications Officer, Angela Benander, called the allegations completely false in a statement:
"Every member of the Michigan Department of State – from the top down – must follow the law, uphold the department’s ethical standards, and come to work every day committed to serve the people of Michigan."
"The Secretary and department leadership do not tolerate any harassment, discrimination, or retaliation against any employee, customer, or Michigan resident based on their race, gender, or age."
Benson, a Democrat, is running for governor.
