Posted Friday, December 18, 2009 --- 2:45 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state has paid $80,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by an African-American parole agent who alleges he was unfairly disciplined and once told to "go back to Africa."

Francis Mandewah sued the Department of Corrections and several employees in 2007, alleging he faced constant harassment as the only minority in the Hayward office.

He claimed he was unfairly suspended three times, and alleged an angry supervisor once told him to "go back to Africa where you belong." Mandewah was born in Sierra Leone.

Corrections spokesman John Dipko says the department does not believe the comment was ever made, but the settlement avoided the risk of a trial.

The deal gives Mandewah $44,000, restores 9 weeks of sick leave, and awards his attorneys $36,000.

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