State Will Still Fight Harassment Suit

Idaho spent more than $61,000 fighting a sexual harassment complaint against the Department of Administration and a former administrator.

The state will spend still more to appeal.

Bureau of Risk Management officials say they are fighting on because important issues are involved—and not because the bureau is under the Department of Administration, where Bureau of Supplies Chief James Skinner worked.

They say the issue could affect a growing number of sexual harassment complaints against the state—and private employers.

“We’re fighting this because we think we’re right,” Risk Manager Edward Fridenstine said.

The state could end the case by paying the judgement a jury awarded Martha Paterson in January—#103,000 against the state, and $37,500 against Skinner. Officials say the issue is important because the state expects a rising number of cases in the future—and rising costs.

The total number remains small—just 16 claims filed from 1989 until today, according to bureau statistics. But seven were filed in the just-ended fiscal year 1994, and no more than two in each of the previous five years.