Lesbian Awarded $2.8M In Harassment Case
Find a Conversation
| Tue, 11-16-2004 - 10:04pm |
(Newark, New Jersey) A jury has awarded $2.8 million to a former Essex County sheriff's officer who said she suffered sexual harassment from other officers because she is a lesbian.
The Union County jury returned the verdict Monday for Karen Caggiano following a three-week trial.
Caggiano, 43, of Bridgewater, testified that she had to use the same bathroom and locker room as male officers in the late 1990s, and that pictures of naked women were posted on lockers.
She endured lewdness, including one sheriff's officer who repeatedly exposed himself in front of her, according to her lawyers.
One of them, Neil Mullin, said the department issued a "whitewashed" internal affairs report that found no merit to her complaints. Caggiano's superiors acted maliciously and intended to hurt her, Mullin told The Star-Ledger of Newark.
Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura had no immediate comment Tuesday on whether the department would appeal, a spokesman said.
Rosemary Alito, who represented Essex County at the trial, maintained that the department had a thorough response to Caggiano's complaints.
The trial was held in Union County instead of Essex County to avoid conflicts of interest.

Thanks raye, even with that short report, I didn't even check out the link. I can just imagine what it said.
But thanks anyway.
Hugs,
Sebastian
http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce
How great for New Jersey! I'm very impressed... though its a bit sad that I have to be impressed over justice being done. One likes to think justice is *always* done, and it shouldn't have to be an impressive thing. Hopefully having this spotlight shining on them will get this department cleaned up and straightened out. Thanks for sharing this nelle.
~C