A former lieutenant in the Allegheny County sheriff's office filed a federal lawsuit yesterday claiming she was discriminated against based on her race, gender and the fact that she chose not to donate to the sheriff's political fund-raising events.

The claim names Sheriff Pete DeFazio, Assistant Chief Deputy Hank Pulkowski and Chief Deputy Dennis Skosnik. Chief Skosnik is under indictment on 12 federal charges, including taking bribes and soliciting cash donations to Sheriff DeFazio's campaign committee but keeping the money for himself.

Yvonne Evans, who was the first black woman ever to make sergeant in the department, began working for the sheriff's office in 1986.

She was fired in February 2004. Chief Skosnik told Ms. Evans in a letter that she had been fired because of derogatory comments she made about Sheriff DeFazio.

But Ms. Evans said that's not the case. Instead, she claims she was fired two months after receiving her 2003 longevity pay, which she refused to donate to Sheriff DeFazio's campaign.

In her lawsuit, Ms. Evans said she was punished by Chief Skosnik for not supporting Sheriff DeFazio's campaign. Among the punishments was her exclusion from officers' division meetings.

"Defendant Skosnik directed other officers not to share information from the division meetings with Evans since she was refusing to give defendants money," the lawsuit claims.

She also alleges that during one meeting, Chief Skosnik announced that employees who didn't support Sheriff DeFazio would be fired.

Ms. Evans said she had a reputation for speaking her mind and for standing up for the deputies under her command. She said she always spoke boldly to the sheriff -- including swearing at him -- and had never been punished.

In her complaint, Ms. Evans also alleges racial discrimination. She said it's common for racially derogatory nicknames to be used in the office.

Ms. Evans said she repeatedly complained to Sheriff DeFazio about the racially offensive comments, though he refused to take any action about them.

Ms. Evans also claims that white officers and sergeants in the department were given county vehicles and parking spots, while she was not.

Ms. Evans is asking for monetary damages, as well as to be reinstated to her former position.