A former Anson County Health Department employee, Shirley Hardin, has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination by her former employer.

The health department and former director Francis Kateh are named as defendants in the suit. She alleges racial discrimination and retaliation. Kateh submitted his resignation to the Board of Health Aug. 9, according to Anson County human resources director Lawrence Gatewood. He did not state his purpose for leaving.

The lawsuit was filed June 10. Hardin requested a trial by jury.

A hearing was scheduled for Monday morning in the U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina. More details were not immediately available.

According to the court's calendar, Hardin represented herself. Bradley Owen Wood represented both of the defendants.

Judge Frank D. Whitney presided.

A worker at Wood's office said he was out of the country and could not be reached for comment.

"In matters like that, I'm not able to comment," Gatewood said. He added he had not received a report about what happened at the hearing.

Hardin also could not be reached for comment.