County settling discrimination lawsuit

Barrow County’s supervisor of Geographic Information Services offices is on paid administrative leave for the rest of the year while attorneys finalize a settlement of a federal discrimination lawsuit she filed in April. Sophia “Tonie” Russell, a 21-year employee of the county government, left her position on Sept. 21, and according to a copy of her leave request, the paid leave is to continue through Dec. 31. Her settlement also is to include a cash payout of “over six figures,” according to a source that asked to remain anonymous. The source said the county’s liability insurer would cover most of the costs.
For the full story, see the Oct. 3 issue of the Barrow Journal.