A veteran correctional officer is suing the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Paul Heroux alleging employment discrimination and retaliation.

 

The lawsuit was filed in Bristol County Superior Court on July 23 by Juan Rodriguez and also names BCSO Superintendent Joseph Oliver III as a defendant.

 

It seeks $500,000 for emotional-distress damages and $40,000 for lost wages.

 

The 24-page discrimination and retaliation lawsuit alleges that Rodriguez was treated differently and was denied advancement opportunities after a serious inmate assault left him injured in 2023.

 

Rodriguez identifies his race as Spanish with his place of national origin being Puerto Rico, according to the lawsuit.

He began working for the sheriff's office in 2014 under Heroux’s predecessor, Thomas Hodgson. Heroux took office in January 2023.

 

Rodriguez was promoted to lieutenant in July 2022, which included a standard one-year probationary period ending July 2, 2023.