ACLU alleges about 20 gay inmates were forced to remove their clothes in a busy hallway July 19th at the Men’s Central Jail while being called names and taunted with vulgar sexual language by some deputies.

Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said jail supervisors launched an investigation two weeks ago. He said the department’s Equity Oversight Panel, which investigates discrimination allegations against sheriff’s employees, is also reviewing the claims.

“If there is any truth to this, we will certainly act in the appropriate manner,” Whitmore said. “Obviously, this is absolutely unacceptable. This flies in the face of everything the sheriff stands for – everything that the department stands for.”

County jails segregate gay inmates from other inmates, keeping them in separate dormitories. The gay inmates were returning to their dorms on the third floor when they were allegedly mistreated, ACLU said.

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