Corrections Officer Says He Was Fired For Being Hispanic

After fighting to win raises for himself and other minority co-workers, and after founding an Hispanic Society for Osceola County corrections officers, a jailer was fired.

"This is totally wrong. This is just flat out racism," said Victor Bahamonde. "Never been sick, never been late, never been written up, never been under investigation. Nothing. And they just terminate me like that?"

Osceola corrections officials refused to talk about Bahamonde's case. Two spokespeople for the county would only say he wasn't a good fit at the jail and denied any discrimination had taken place.

Baahmonde is considering a lawsuit and has contacted the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

Osceola County Commissioner John Quinones said he has asked the County Manager and County Attorney to investigate.

County officials say nearly 60-percent of more than 300 corrections employees are minorities.