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BOP Pays $20,000 to Settle Sexual Harassment Complaint

The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) paid $20,000 to settle on Equal Employment Opportunity complaint alleging sexual harassment.

Brenda Fornengo, a counselor at FCI Sandstone in Massachusetts, alleged her supervisor, Mr. McMahan, harassed her in her work place.  Her allegations included him sitting in her office, for up to 47 minutes on a regular occasion, and staring at her as she worked.  He made derogatory statements about her “single marital status” as a single mother.

Additionally, McMahan was upset with Fornengo enforcing policy to collect child support payments from prisoners.  Fornengo further claimed McMahan gave her adverse scheduling, deprived her privileges afforded male employees, and changed her post in retaliation for her complaints.

On March 11, 2001, the complaint was settled.  It paid Fornengo $15,000 and her attorney, Richard T. Wylie, $5,000 in fees.  See: Fornengo v. Ashcroft, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Case No 260-9217X.

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Related legal case

Fornengo v. Ashcroft