Panel split on discrimination case

AUGUSTA – The Maine Human Rights Commission rendered a split decision Monday for a former Bar Harbor Banking and Trust Co. employee who claimed she was the victim of sexual discrimination by an assistant vice president at the bank.

Sandy Currier of Raymond, a temporary employee from the WorkSource company, was employed at the bank from mid-January 2000 through May 12 of that same year. During that time, the 60-year-old woman said she was subjected repeatedly to “sexually humiliating” remarks made by Andrew Sankey of Bar Harbor, the bank’s vice president of general services. She also alleged that Sankey touched her inappropriately.

According to a report filed by the commission’s investigator, Sankey denied Currier’s allegations, with the exception of one remark made to Currier and two other women on Wednesday, April 19, 2000. According to the investigator’s report, Sankey had volunteered to work after hours with the three women who were folding and stuffing envelopes.

“Mr. Sankey was asked to stay a little bit later, but he reported that he had ‘good news and bad news’ – that he could not stay because Wednesday is masturbation night. He then left,” the report stated.

According to the report, when questioned by bank supervisor Laura Bridges, Sankey did not deny making the remark. He apologized to the three women and was reprimanded by the bank, and was promoted a month later during what Currier alleged was a continuing pattern of sexually inappropriate behavior.

Currier was terminated from the bank’s employment on May 12, 2000, as stipulated under her contract with WorkSource. Paul Pierce, chief investigator for the commission, concluded there were reasonable grounds to believe that unlawful sexual harassment in employment against Currier had taken place at the bank, but that her discharge was not the result of retaliation by the bank for lodging complaints against Sankey.

All complaints supported by the commission proceed to conciliation hearings. If that process fails, the complaint continues to Superior Court, where a final settlement can include monetary damages.

The commission rejected complaints filed by:

Doris Shirley of Bangor, against Eastside Rehabilitation, of Bangor, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act, an act to protect employees from retaliation by their employers for reporting illegal working conditions.

Martha Lary of Dover-Foxcroft, against Webber Energy Fuels and Chase and Kimball Oil Co. of Dover-Foxcroft, charging age and sex and disability discrimination.

Terrence Williams of Unity, against Mid-Maine Communications of Bangor, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act.

Bobbi-Lyn Reed of Lincoln, against MBNA of Orono, charging sexual discrimination.

Karen Paquin of Millinocket, against MBNA of Orono, charging sexual harassment.

Sabine Gibson of Bangor, against Dr. Craig B. Rand of Brewer, charging religious discrimination.

Patricia Murphy of Southwest Harbor, against School Union 98 of Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert Island Community Health Plan of Bar Harbor, charging age or race discrimination.

Carol Witham of Brownville Junction, against North Country Associates doing business as Fairview Manor, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act.

Lynette Somers of East Millinocket, against Eastmill Federal Credit Union, charging disability discrimination.

Omerine Corriveau of St. Agatha, against St. Joseph’s Nursing Home of Frenchville, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act.

Paul DeMoranville of Exeter, against Community Health and Counseling of Bangor, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act and sexual harassment.

Linda Roix of Madawaska, against Madawaska Ambulance Service, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act and sexual harassment and sexual discrimination.

David Bishop of Hancock, against Verizon Communications of Ellsworth, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act.

John Lennon of Lamoine, against County Ambulance of Ellsworth, charging a violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act.