Veterans sue BPA over discrimination

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Two veterans have filed suit against the Bonneville Power Administration, alleging they're victims of hiring discrimination.

The Oregonian reports Timm Johnson, a Coast Guard veteran and 12-year employee of Boeing, filed suit in mid-August. The suit alleges Johnson was passed over for three positions despite being highly qualified.

Madonna Radcliff, a military veteran with a master's of business administration from Harvard, filed suit in September alleging discrimination when she applied to be special assistant to the BPA senior vice president.

Each seeks lost wages, $1 million in compensatory damages and attorneys' fees.

Two agency officials resigned after allegations surfaced of discriminatory hiring practices involving military veterans. The suits alleging discrimination now total four.

The BPA markets power from 31 federal dams and manages much of the region's power grid.