Four discrimination complaints filed against Butler County by current and past workers have been dismissed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

However, at least two cases still may end up in court.

In a complaint filed in December, Linda Cranmer alleged age discrimination after quitting her job in the district attorney’s office.

Cranmer, whose age was unavailable, said in March she resigned because county officials told her she would be fired otherwise.

After the office lost a federal grant in 2012, District Attorney Richard Goldinger suspended Cranmer for allegedly being dishonest about what happened during the application process.

Butler attorney Neal Sanders, who is representing Cranmer, said that case will proceed to court.

“We’ll be filing,” he said.

Sanders said if the county doesn’t agree to a settlement, the case will go to trial.

The EEOC dismissal does not state the county is innocent of discrimination.

According to the dismissal notice sent to the county, “Based upon its investigation, the EEOC is unable to conclude that the information obtained establishes violations of the statutes. This does not certify that the respondent is in compliance with the statutes.”

Sanders explained the EEOC’s dismissal doesn’t preclude a lawsuit against the county.

When the EEOC does find evidence of discrimination, it attempts to facilitate a settlement. If those efforts are unsuccessful, the case can go to court. In some cases, the EEOC has filed the lawsuit instead of the individual.

Goldinger declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

The second complaint involves a former corrections officer at the county prison.

Capt. Judy Wolfe of Harmony earlier this year filed a sex discrimination complaint after being suspended Feb. 13.

Wolfe, 50, was subsequently fired in connection with incidents linked to prescription medication and for allegedly giving preferential treatment to an incarcerated relative.

In Wolfe’s complaint, she alleged being targeted due to her gender so the prison could fill her officer’s slot with a male employee.

Wolfe of Harmony was the sole woman filling one of five captain slots at the time. She claimed there was a hostile work environment beginning in February 2012.

The EEOC was unable to determine if Wolfe was a victim of discrimination.

Sanders, who represents Wolfe, said that case also will go to court.

Warden Rick Shaffer declined to comment.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier said the county will be prepared if the cases end up in court.

“We’ll just defend our position,” McCarrier said.

In the third complaint, personnel department worker Shari Bennetti in February filed a sex and age discrimination complaint.

The EEOC could not establish that discrimination occurred.

Bennetti, 60, filed a similar complaint in 2007. Under a negotiated settlement in 2008, Bennetti agreed to drop complaints with the EEOC and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

The county agreed to treat Bennetti fairly, including not penalizing or retaliating against her.

Bennetti could not be reached for comment.

County personnel director Lori Altman declined to comment on the EEOC dismissal.

In the fourth complaint, Dianne Neal, 55, of West Sunbury, who is a food service production manager at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in April alleged age discrimination.

Neal alleged her supervisor, food service director Mary Beth Sikora, mistreated her beginning June 1, 2012.

The complaint accused Sikora of trying to fire Neal or force her to retire.

Wexford attorney Adam Hobaugh, who represents Neal, declined to comment.

Sue Murray, Sunnyview administrator, was unavailable for comment.

County Commissioner Jim Eckstein said people are too quickly resorting to filing complaints with the EEOC.

“It’s just gotten out of hand,” Eckstein said. “They’re using it as a complaint hot line.”