Warden of women’s prison in Topeka accused of racist comments

[proud2BlibKansan]

TOPEKA | The warden of a Kansas women’s prison is accused of making racially insensitive comments.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported on the allegations against Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Richard Koerner as part of an ongoing investigation.

The claims include that Koerner made a lynching reference while criticizing two black women who were reorganizing their office. One of the women, Mary Carr, said Koerner said something “to the effect that, ‘You two wouldn’t be happy if I hung you with a new rope.’ ”

Another black employee, Willie Tabor, said Koerner repeatedly called him “boy.”

Koerner confirmed he made both remarks, but he said the hangman’s line was a joke and his use of the term “boy” was intended to be affectionate and not a racial put-down.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1654747.html