Luna Community College, New Mexico has become embroiled in a sexual harassment controversy with the U.S. Department of Justice suing the institution for doing little to halt the sexual harassment of a subordinate employee by the president of the institution.
The lawsuit was filed in Albuquerque and seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the victim, Charlene Ortiz-Cordova. The suit was filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
At the time of the alleged harassment, Ortiz-Cordova was academic director of the institute. During her tenure at the college, she was subjected to unwanted sexual contact, gestures and comments by the college president at that time, Leroy Sanchez. His behavior towards Ortiz-Cordova created a hostile working environment for her.
As per her lawsuit the plaintiff's repeated complaints to her immediate superiors went unheeded. After a year of inaction, her complaint finally reached the human resource department of the college after which Sanchez was instructed to avoid contacting Ortiz-Cordova. However, nothing was done to discipline Sanchez or to see that the department's order was implemented.
In 2006, Ortiz-Cordova left her job and filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which investigated and verified the allegations. The case was then transferred to the Justice Department after repeated attempts to negotiate with Sanchez failed.
To read more about the case click here.
The lawsuit was filed in Albuquerque and seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the victim, Charlene Ortiz-Cordova. The suit was filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
At the time of the alleged harassment, Ortiz-Cordova was academic director of the institute. During her tenure at the college, she was subjected to unwanted sexual contact, gestures and comments by the college president at that time, Leroy Sanchez. His behavior towards Ortiz-Cordova created a hostile working environment for her.
As per her lawsuit the plaintiff's repeated complaints to her immediate superiors went unheeded. After a year of inaction, her complaint finally reached the human resource department of the college after which Sanchez was instructed to avoid contacting Ortiz-Cordova. However, nothing was done to discipline Sanchez or to see that the department's order was implemented.
In 2006, Ortiz-Cordova left her job and filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which investigated and verified the allegations. The case was then transferred to the Justice Department after repeated attempts to negotiate with Sanchez failed.
To read more about the case click here.
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