O'Malley Appoints New Director Of Civil Rights

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley has appointed Alvin Gillard to be executive director of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

O'Malley appointed Gillard on Wednesday to fill the position after the retirement of J. Neil Bell in December.

Gillard will assume his new job after retiring from the Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights and Wage Enforcement, where he was executive director for more than 18 years.

The commission investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and state contracts filed by members of protected classes under federal and state law.
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