CENTREVILLE, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is intervening in a lawsuit brought against the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office alleging sex discrimination.

The suit was filed in 2010 by Kristy Murphy-Taylor, a former detective in the Sheriff’s Office. It alleges that the department subjected Murphy-Taylor to a sexually hostile work environment and retaliated against her. The suit says Murphy-Taylor was eventually fired.

The Justice Department said on Monday that its complaint in intervention represents a matter of general public importance.

A spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment.

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