Rights panel rules against Lewiston chief

AUGUSTA – Lewiston Police Chief William Welch unlawfully discriminated against women’s advocates Carol R. Perkins and Michele Swift when he pretended to strangle them in front of dozens of police officers, the Human Rights Commission voted Monday.

Welch, who did not appear at the hearing, said his actions were “a joke” and not intended to intimidate or coerce the two women, according to Lewiston attorney Edward Benjamin.

Attorney Rebecca S. K. Webber, who represented the two women, said the case will continue to conciliation and, if that fails, to federal court for a final decision, which could include damages.

Webber told the commission Monday that the two women were employed by the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, which had offices inside the Lewiston police station. The project had a contentious relationship with police, witnesses said.

The two women attended a community policing conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport on April 14, 1999, with Welch and dozens of other law enforcement officials. During a photo session, Welch “mock strangled” the two women, an action forceful enough to leave marks, Webber said. She asked the commission to find reasonable grounds for the complaint “to send a message” to all police departments that such actions cannot continue.

The women vacated their office space in the police station after the incident out of fear and both have taken different jobs and sought psychological treatment since the incident, she said.

After the vote, Perkins said, “This validates our reaction. Justice has finally been done.” Swift was grateful that her “nightmare” was over and that “women don’t have to put up with this anymore.”

Meanwhile, the commission:

. Found reasonable grounds for a disability discrimination complaint filed by Stephen Gagnon of Gorham, who is deaf, against the Maine Youth Center.

Gagnon, a cook supervisor, told commission investigators that he was denied an interpreter at department meetings where he was given a reprimand. The youth center said Gagnon was given a computer, printer and communication device to accommodate his disability, but the center conceded that the reprimand should not have been given without an interpreter present.

. Dismissed a complaint by Maine State Prison inmate John Gagnon against the Department of Corrections. Gagnon said he lost “good time,” or early release time, because of his disability, which prevented him from working. Work is a requirement for early release credits. Prison officials said Gagnon used sick calls to avoid work based on dental problems, ear infections and urinary tract problems.

. Found reasonable grounds for a sexual discrimination complaint filed by Janet Beaudoin of Machias against Marshall Manor of Machias. Beaudoin said she and other employees faced an “offensive, hostile environment” created by administration.

. Markland Healthservices Inc. of Brewer unlawfully terminated Jane Weatherbee of Lincoln after she complained about nursing care, the commissioners voted.

All of the complaints supported by the commission will continue to conciliation hearings. If that step fails, they will proceed to court for final settlements, which could include monetary damages.

The commission dismissed complaints filed by:

. Carolyn Jenkins of Bangor, religious discrimination against Community Health and Counseling Services.

. Margaret Lyons of South Portland, sexual discrimination against Blethen Newspapers of Portland.

. Richard Nolan of Stonington, illegal termination against Laidlaw Transit of Orland.

. Naomi Seastead of Thomaston, disability discrimination against CedarWorks Inc of Rockport.

. Gardner Foss of Brewer, employment discrimination against Luv Homes of Holden.

. William Eycleshymer of Friendship, age discrimination complaint against L.L. Bean of Freeport.

. Joseph Sabatino of Milford, age discrimination against Old Town Fuel and Building of North Dighton, Mass.; sexual discrimination against Georgia-Pacific of Baileyville.

. Ira Nagin of Bangor, disability and religious discrimination against Norman Craig of Bangor.