BOISE -- The Idaho Department of Juvenile Correction faces a whistleblowing lawsuit, not from inmates, but from seven employees at the Nampa Detention Center.
The employees make some serious allegations. They claim that over the years, they've seen corruption, age discrimination and fraud.
In a 24-page lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court, seven Idaho Department of Juvenile Correction employees, represented by attorney Andrew Schoppe, make specific and serious allegations.
"The department has permitted employees to pad timecards, to use department property, vehicles for personal use of employees, favored employees," said Schoppe.
Wasting taxpayer money is just one complaint.
"They've got concerns that the department is not acting appropriately to or not even reporting accurately, violent assaults within the facility," said Schoppe.
Other complaints include understaffing, violations of state and federal laws, harassment and silencing of employees.
"I think that they've become convinced the department is corrupt in many different ways," said Schoppe.
Sharon Harrigfeld is the Director of the Department of Juvenile Correction.
"First and foremost, safety and security of our staff and our juveniles is our number one priority," said Harrigfeld.
Harrigfeld, who found out about the lawsuit Tuesday, says she can’t comment on the specifics of the case.
"We will definitely look into this and it's a serious issue," said Harrigfeld.
In fact, the lawsuit has not been served yet, that will most likely happen Thursday.
"We're doing everything that we possibly can to make sure that we provide the best possible service for both our juveniles and for the staff that serve our juveniles," said Harrigfeld.
In general - she denies the claims that her department is corrupt and wasting money.
"Everyone that works for this department is a taxpayer, and we want to make sure every dime we spend is appropriately spent," said Harrigfeld.
"Does this department have any level of corruption in it?" asked NewsChannel 7. "No, I can't imagine that our department has any kind of corruption in it," responded Harrigfeld.
Deputy attorneys general will look at the lawsuit for the Department of Juvenile Correction to analyze it and determine the next step for the department. That meeting will happen in the next week. The department has 20 days from when the lawsuit is served to respond. The lawsuit is scheduled to be served Thursday.
The employees want the court to provide injunctive relief against the department to avoid any retaliation. They're also seeking damages for lost wages and denied promotions.
