Harassment Suit Filed Against School Official
A business relations specialist for the Saddleback Valley Unified School District has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a discriminatory and hostile working environment that led to her demotion from public information officer.
In a suit filed in Superior Court this week, Susan Wilson alleges that William Manahan, then-assistant superintendent, began sexually harassing her in 1999. After Wilson refused to have a relationship with him, she alleges, he singled her out for discriminatory treatment and made false accusations about her ability to perform her duties.
Manahan, who said he was aware that a claim had been filed but has not seen it, strongly denied the allegations Thursday. “There is no truth to it at all,” he said.
The district’s assistant superintendent for personnel conducted an investigation of Wilson’s allegations in May 2000, Manahan said.
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