Akron State Representative Requests Mediation In Discrimination Complaint

State Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, on Wednesday asked Governor Kasich to intervene in a discrimination complaint she filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

The governor’s office responded through the Ohio Department of Public Safety, one of the parties included in the complaint, saying it will “respect the role that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission plays in this and their right to move forward with an investigation.”

Sykes filed a complaint with the commission in June, alleging gender and racial discrimination by state troopers at the Ohio Statehouse. She says she’s been subjected to extra scrutiny, including bag searches and questioning.

According to Sykes, the four agencies included in the complaint – the Department of Public Safety, The Department of Administrative Services, the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board, and the Ohio House of Representatives – rejected Sykes’ request for mediation, which could now trigger a Civil Rights Commission investigation.

Sykes’ letter to Kasich asked him to compel two of the department heads to reconsider mediation.

“It will be the least costly in terms of taxpayer dollars, and it will lead to a faster solution rather than going through a full investigation,” said Sykes.

The Commission would not comment on the status of Sykes’ complaint or whether it is moving forward with an investigation.