Police officer wins round in sexual harassment case

11/3/2001

A state appeals court ruled yesterday in favor of a Perkins Township police officer who said she was sexually harassed and discriminated against by the force.

The 6th District Court of Appeals reversed a decision in June, 2000, by an Erie County jury that ruled against officer Rebecca Hann and in favor of Chief Tim McClung, Sgt. A.L. Matthews, and Officer John McGuire.

Officer Hann, who was seeking $540,000 in damages from the officers and township trustees, said the police chief suggested she dress up like a French maid and clean his office. She also claimed Officer McGuire tried to talk to her about pornography.

The appeals court ruled that the judge erred when the jury asked for the definitions of the charges, and the judge gave the jury only part of the definitions. It sent the case back to Erie County Common Pleas Court for further proceedings.