Report: Jury would likely find Camden County commissioner retaliated against employee who claimed sexual harassment
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A sexual harassment and retaliation investigation report filed by the law office of Vessel, Bridges and Murphy says a jury or judge would likely rule a Camden County commissioner retaliated against an employee.
The report claims actions by Steve Dougan, Camden County’s Second District commissioner, would likely be ruled as retaliation, though claims of him sexual harassing an employee possibly would not stand.
Dougan was not named in the report, but minutes from a March 2 closed meeting showed he was accused of sexual harassment and retaliation.
The report indicates Dougan had sent the employee a text message on Dec. 19 in order to set her up on a date with one of his friends. A comment that could be considered sexual in nature about the friend was sent to the employee, the report says. The report also describes Dougan telling a story about a strip club to the employee.
Concerns were allegedly brought up to Dougan during a Feb. 2 counseling session that included another commissioner and the woman’s immediate supervisor. Dougan allegedly then started making claims about poor performance.
The report then claims another session was held on Feb. 24 and Dougan “wrote up” the supervisor for poor performance twice that same day.
“It is my understanding that if the Complainant’s supervisor was terminated, Complainant’s job status would be in limbo because she could now be replaced by a new supervisor or terminated by a majority vote of the Commissioners,” attorney Jack Fleming wrote in the report. “Complainant’s fear that the accused Commissioner was paving the way for her termination was legitimate and credible.”