Agency Calls for Sanctions Against Wyoming National Guard

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has called for sanctions against the Wyoming National Guard after it failed to participate in a complaint hearing involving an employee.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported Sunday that the guard claims the 2012 complaint is not within the commission's jurisdiction.

Former dual-status technician Rachel Bennett claims she was discriminated against and then was fired when she tried to file a complaint.

Dual-status technicians are active service members but are employed in civilian jobs.

Guard spokeswoman Deidre Forster says the commission did not have jurisdiction because the claim was filed before federal law changed in 2016.

She says federal court cases have shown that the jurisdiction wasn't retroactively applied.

A commission administrative judge determined that dual-status guard employees are under the agency's jurisdiction.