A former Greene County deputy is suing his former employer, claiming he was discriminated against for reporting sexual harassment. Jacob Marler filed a civil lawsuit against Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, Greene County Major Phil Corcoran and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents, Marler says he reported “inappropriate sexual harassment” by Greene County Captain Gibson on Aug. 25, 2010. The court documents do not reveal Gibson’s first name. On August 27, Marler says he wrote a written report stating his opposition to the sexual harassment. Marler says between August 30-September 7, an investigation concluded that “it does appear that an element of unprofessional sexual dialogue has occurred within his command and authority.” Marler says the investigator recommended Gibson attend a training workshop on the subject of sexual harassment in the workplace.
About two weeks after first reporting the incident, Marler says he was fired by Arnott for “insubordination” and “conduct unbecoming of an officer.” In a report filed with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, Marler said the sheriff told him to “resign” or be “terminated for insubordination.” Marler told the commission the women he believes were sexually harassed were “scared for their jobs and denied the instances.” Marler says another employee did report seeing sexual harassment by the captain.
According to court documents, Marler reported the alleged sexual harassment to Corcoran, his superior. He says Corcoran did not interview Gibson. He says he was “excluded” from being interviewed. A letter from the Missouri Commission on Human Rights is included in the civil lawsuit. The letter, written in July, says Marler has the right to sue.
Arnott declined to comment on the lawsuit.
