Mirlin Toomer, who worked at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency for six years, is seeking at least $300,000 in damages in the suit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Washington. The action names Defense Secretary Leon Panetta as defendant, but Toomer's lawyer, Donald Temple, said the list of named defendants could expand.
A noose displayed before a black American is considered extremely offensive because the rope was used to lynch more than 3,000 black people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Ken White, spokesman for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, would not comment Thursday "on ongoing legal matters." Panetta was traveling abroad Thursday and was not immediately available for comment. A Pentagon spokesman referred questions to the agency's legislative liaison, who also did not comment.
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