University employee alleges harassment
JSU employee sues over alleged harassment
An office manager at Jackson State University says her boss exposed himself to her, pulled on her underwear and asked what color it was and conducted a campaign of retaliation against her when she complained, according to a complaint filed in Hinds County Circuit Court.But a university investigation into Kushauntia L. Jones' sexual harassment allegations found "no evidence" to support them.
"Jackson State University has investigated the claims, conducted a grievance panel hearing and found these allegations to be unsubstantiated," JSU's attorney, Regina Quinn, said in a written statement.
The complaint, which represents one side of a legal argument, was filed Jan. 10.
Jones is seeking unspecified damages, and wants back pay for time off work to deal with stress. She names the university and its director of communications, Anthony Dean, as defendants.
In her complaint, Jones alleges Dean sexually harassed her for most of 2005, causing her psychological problems and a prolonged absence from work.
Dean said through a spokeswoman that he would not answer questions about the suit.Jones' attorney, Louis Watson, said Monday that neither Dean nor the university has been officially served. He said he expects to make amendments to the suit today and then serve the defendants.
According to the suit, Jones began work at JSU in 2001 as a secretary.
From November 2004 until March 2005, she served as acting events specialist, which meant Dean supervised her part of the time.
In February or March 2005, the two were having a business lunch together when Dean told Jones he was attracted to her, the suit alleges. Jones told Dean the comment made her uncomfortable, and he apologized, according to the suit.
In September 2005, Jones was named office manager/executive assistant in the communications department, where Dean was her supervisor.
Jones alleges Dean began scheduling unnecessary private meetings with her near the end of the work day and continually harassed her. She said she did not make a formal complaint because she feared retaliation.
A month into her new job, Jones' suit alleges that, while she was bent over filing documents, "Defendant Dean slid his hand down her back into her pants lifting her underwear and asking, 'What color underwear are you wearing?' "
Later, Jones alleges in the suit Dean exposed himself to her and tried to push her head toward his groin.
Other alleged incidents are chronicled in the lawsuit.
In early 2006, Jones reported Dean to university authorities. Dean, she said, became "openly hostile" toward her.
He issued her a written reprimand for insubordination, the suit alleges.
Twice during early 2006 Jones went to hospitals for problems doctors later said were related to stress, according to the lawsuit. She was eventually prescribed Lexapro, an antidepressant.
Jones was frequently absent from work, taking an extended leave of absence for much of the first half of 2006. She was not paid for a substantial portion of that time off.
She was reassigned to an office away from Dean and was allowed to keep the same job title, but she was told her job duties would essentially be those of an administrative assistant, according to the suit.
A university grievance committee held two days of hearings on the matter last March and ruled "there was no evidence to substantiate her allegations of sexual harassment," according to the lawsuit.
Quinn said JSU's policy is to not comment on litigation, "or to litigate the matter in the press."
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