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$217,500 Paid in WA DOC Sexual Harassment Claim
Kathleen Lane was an employee of the Washington DOC in August of 1988 when
raped and assaulted by one of her co-workers, Charles Beeman, at the WSR in
Monroe, Wa. She filed criminal charges and reported the rape to
supervisors. The prosecuting attorney obtained an injunction to have her
shift changed, for her supervisors denied that request and threatened her
with firing if she did not work Beeman's shift. In January 1983, due to a
lack of physical evidence, the prosecutor dropped the case, and Lane was
placed back on Beeman's shift where she was harassed and the subject of
jokes. She was transferred to work at an Arlington, WA facility in March of
1989 where she was forced to quit due to harassment. She then filed suit in
the Thurston County Superior Court claiming sexual harassment and
discrimination, retaliation, and constructive discharge. Lane proceeded to
jury trial and was awarded $72,500 on April 2, 1997. She was represented by
Richard D. Reed of the Law Offices of Judith A. Lonnquist of Seattle, WA
who received $145,000 in attorney fees and costs. See: Lane v. State of
Washington, Thurston County Superior Court, Case no. 91-2-01832-1, unpublished.
raped and assaulted by one of her co-workers, Charles Beeman, at the WSR in
Monroe, Wa. She filed criminal charges and reported the rape to
supervisors. The prosecuting attorney obtained an injunction to have her
shift changed, for her supervisors denied that request and threatened her
with firing if she did not work Beeman's shift. In January 1983, due to a
lack of physical evidence, the prosecutor dropped the case, and Lane was
placed back on Beeman's shift where she was harassed and the subject of
jokes. She was transferred to work at an Arlington, WA facility in March of
1989 where she was forced to quit due to harassment. She then filed suit in
the Thurston County Superior Court claiming sexual harassment and
discrimination, retaliation, and constructive discharge. Lane proceeded to
jury trial and was awarded $72,500 on April 2, 1997. She was represented by
Richard D. Reed of the Law Offices of Judith A. Lonnquist of Seattle, WA
who received $145,000 in attorney fees and costs. See: Lane v. State of
Washington, Thurston County Superior Court, Case no. 91-2-01832-1, unpublished.
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Related legal case
Lane v. State of Washington
| Year | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Thurston County Superior Court, Case no. 91-2-0183 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 145000 |
| Damages | 72500 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |