EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: Sacramento Metro Fire Department Sued for Alleged Sexual Harassment

March 15, 2010

Sacramento – A sexual harassment lawsuit was recently filed by a former fire inspector against Sacramento Metro Fire Department.

According to the lawsuit, Lisa Barsdale was allegedly sexually harassed by her supervisor, Fire Marshal Steve Broderick since 2008 and continued for more than a year.

The lawsuit also alleges that officials ignored her complaints and was even punished for her actions.

Barsdale’s attorney Stewart Katz said that the harassment started when the supervisor tried to approach his client at a convention and allegedly told her "he would hate to have to treat her like his other supervisees."

When Barsdale did not return Broderick’s calls, he allegedly left a message saying “"I will fill up this phone with voice messages until you call me back."

Katz also claims that Barsdale was punished by the department when she filed a complaint against her supervisor by placing her on administrative leave.

Katz left some strong words for the department saying he does not know if it is an old boy’s club or an idiot’s club.

Fire officials responded to the lawsuit by saying that they have zero tolerance for sexual harassment but cannot discuss the case because of privacy laws.

Sac Metro Fire Captain Rusty Dupray assured the public that they are taking the issues seriously and have even hired in independent investigator and fully implemented his recommendations.

Barsdale has already retired last December but Barsdale is still with the Department.