Minnesota Case Tests Male Sex Harassment

In the first case of its kind, the Minnesota Human Rights Department is taking action against an employer for male-on-male sexual harassment.

The agency said Thursday that it has found probable cause to support a sexual harassment complaint filed against S&K Trucking of Rosemount by a former employee.

Charlie Koehnen, vice president of the construction and landscape trucking company, is accused of harassing the worker.

“It is a classic kind of sexual harassment case and what is unique is that it involves a male employee and a male supervisor,” said David Beaulieu, human rights commissioner.

The complaint was filed by Richard Cummings, 37, of Hastings, who was employed by S&K Trucking as a driver from July 1992 to March 1994.

“The company states Rick Cummings was fired for cause and was never subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace,” said Kristen Paulson Gibbons, a Minneapolis attorney who represents S&K.