BUENA PARK : Sexual Harassment Award Is Upheld
An appeals court Thursday upheld a $195,000 jury award against the city for allowing the sexual harassment of a former police officer.
Sandra Jean McClaren, 28, of Riverside accused two superior officers of harassing her between 1987 and 1989, when she resigned. She alleged the two men made lewd comments and pinched her buttocks. Despite her complaints to superiors, McClaren charged, the city took no action except to retaliate against her.
In May, 1992, a jury found that the two officers were not guilty of sexual harassment and initially deadlocked as to whether the city was liable for any of the $300,000 in damages McClaren had requested.
After further deliberations, the jury awarded McClaren $100,000 for emotional damages and another $95,000 for the premature end of her police career, as well as attorneys’ fees.
The city appealed the verdict to the 4th District Court of Appeal, which upheld the award in a 3-0 ruling.
Assistant City Atty. Andrew Arczynski said Thursday that he has not had an opportunity to evaluate the ruling. McClaren’s attorney was on vacation, her office said.
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