According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed yesterday to pay $900,000 to settle a lawsuit by a sheriff's deputy who alleged that his boss sexually harassed him and threatened him with violence.  The victim, Deputy Robert Lyznick, claimed that his supervisor,  Sgt. Charles Dery, threatened him with violence for rebuffing sexual advances.  Dery has claimed the allegations were fabricated, although he did resign from the Sheriff's Department in 2008 after the agency launched an internal affairs investigation into Lyznick's accusations.

See the full LA Times story HERE.

Under California law, in the context of sex discrimination, prohibited harassment includes verbal, physical, and visual harassment, as well as unwanted sexual advances.  In this regard, verbal harassment may include epithets, derogatory comments, or slurs on the basis of sex; physical harassment may include assault, impeding or blocking movement, or any physical interference with normal work or movement, when directed at an individual on the basis of sex; and visual harassment may include derogatory posters, cartoons, or drawings on the basis of sex.  In the case above, the harasser was alleged to have made sexual advances and allegedly touched his victim.  According to the news story, Dery admitted in an interview only to occasionally telling jokes of a sexual nature, but he denied any other wrongdoing.

Compensation for victims of sexual harassment and discrimination should be an important concern for all Californians.  When a supervisor sexually harasses a subordinate, the harasser and the employer should be held accountable.  An Orange County trial lawyer with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has 20 years of experience handling personal injury and sexual harassment cases, including just this type.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been a victim of sexual harassment or discrimination?

  • Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter.  A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.