HRC endorses 2 workers’ complaints > Women from Jay, Brewer supported by rights panel

AUGUSTA — The Maine Human Rights Commission on Monday endorsed a sexual discrimination complaint against Office Supply Store of Farmington, and a retaliation complaint against Professional Property Brokers Inc. of Bangor.

The Human Rights Commission serves as a clearinghouse for discrimination complaints. If the commission votes that reasonable grounds exist for a complaint, it proceeds to arbitration. If that fails, the complaint proceeds to Superior Court where damages, including monetary settlements, are determined.

The commission voted 4-0 Monday to support a complaint from Faith Bryant, 17, of Jay who said she was sexually harassed by Office Supply Store owner Carl Bublak from June 11, 1997, to June 26, 1997, when she was forced to quit. Bublak, through letters from attorney David Sanders, denied ever sexually harassing or propositioning Bryant. The commission reported that previous harassment complaints had been filed against the owner with the local District Attorney’s Office. On Sept. 30, 1997, Bublak was convicted of assault and sentenced to a suspended 45-day jail term.

Bublak was not represented before the commission Monday. Bryant’s attorney chose not to comment.

In her complaint, Bryant said Bublak grabbed her thigh and kissed her neck, pulled her onto his lap and suggested she wear a bikini. On three occasions Bublak sexually propositioned her, the complaint stated.

After an investigation, chief HRC investigator Paul D. Pierce said that “a reasonable woman under similar circumstances would have been compelled to quit.”

The commission also voted 4-0 to support a complaint filed by Jennifer Curtis of Brewer who said she was fired from Professional Property Brokers Inc. in Bangor on Nov. 18, 1996, in retaliation for a sexual harassment complaint. Company president David F. Giroux said Curtis was fired “because she wasn’t doing the job. That’s the bottom line.” Giroux told the commission Monday no evidence was presented that he gave a bad recommendation to prospective employers.

Curtis was a secretary and bookkeeper from August 1994 until 1996. During her employment she filed a sexual harassment complaint against an unidentified employee of the firm. When she left the firm she was given a bad reference, noting that she filed the HRC complaint. HRC investigator Brenda E. Maliska found reasonable grounds for retaliation against Curtis, and the commission supported the recommendation 4-0.

The commission Monday dismissed claims against the towns of Rangeley and Ashland and the state Department of Conservation.

Arthur Emory of Rangeley, the former town code enforcement officer, filed an unlawful retaliation complaint against the town. Emory said he was denied a raise in retaliation for filing a previous complaint with the HRC. HRC investigator Susan Clark determined that the loss of the raise was based on a dispute with town administration over DOT road signs and was not connected to the previous HRC complaint.

Doris Sawyer of Sheridan filed a sexual discrimination complaint against the town of Ashland after town officials included her husband’s name on a deed when she purchased a piece of land from the town in October 1997. Investigators found no grounds for the complaint.

Lise Herold of Liberty said she was discriminated against after she complained to the press about the killing of an injured cat by Department of Conservation forest rangers in early 1996. The case drew extensive coverage in newspapers and on television. The incident was investigated by the District Attorney’s Office, but no charges were brought against state employees. Herold said she was harassed by fellow employees after the incident, but HRC investigators found no grounds for the complaint.

The HRC found no reasonable grounds and dismissed complaints filed by:

Arnold James of Grand Lake Stream (retaliation) against Georgia-Pacific Corp. of Woodland.

Robert Crockett of Bangor (unfair dismissal) against Dow Asphalt Paving of Bangor.

Gilbert Deprey of Holden (employment discrimination) against B&D Marine of Brewer.

Stephen W. Miller of Portland (sexual discrimination) against Ebisu Corp. of Bangor.

Crystal Harmon-of Dover Foxcroft (sexual discrimination and unlawful termination) against Guilford of Maine of Guilford.

Dorine Tardy of Presque Isle (disability discrimination) against McCain Foods of Easton.

Theresa Ecklar of Old Town (sexual discrimination) against Old Town Subway.

Carla Fergerson of Rockport (mental disability discrimination) against MBNA of Camden.

Rodney Page of Glenburn (age discrimination) against Logistic Management Systems of Bangor.

Judy Chalmers of Clinton (disability discrimination) against S.D. Warren of Skowhegan.