Lesbian Officer Alleges Harassment

A Ventura police officer has sued a supervisor and the city, alleging she was discriminated against and harassed because of her sexual orientation and gender.

Officer Kim K. Stewart, 42, filed the suit in Ventura County Superior Court on Monday. She seeks an unspecified amount of money.

The harassment “was verbal for the most part,” said Stewart’s attorney, Gerald M. Sato, who said his client is a lesbian. Sato declined to discuss the case any further, and the three-page filing offered few additional details.

Stewart’s suit names Sgt. Gary Adkinson and the city as defendants. It alleges that Adkinson created a “hostile work environment on the basis of plaintiff’s sex and sexual orientation.”

The suit also says that “the purpose for which defendants have subjected plaintiff to discrimination, harassment and retaliation is to exclude women and homosexuals from employment with the city of San Buenaventura and its police department.”

Stewart was hired in 1992 after serving as an investigator with the Ventura County district attorney’s office. She also worked as a Santa Barbara sheriff’s deputy.

Police and city officials declined comment on the suit, which had not been served by Tuesday. Police officials declined to disclose any of Adkinson’s personnel information.

“Without having seen the lawsuit, it would be difficult to comment on it,” City Atty. Peter Bulens said.