07-10-2011, 09:58 PM
Harassing Behavior Described
Ex-officer Alleges Men Made Sexual Remarks
December 07, 1994|By TREVOR JENSEN Staff Writer
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bawdy, locker-room atmosphere has long pervaded the Hollywood Police
Department, making female officers uncomfortable while stifling their
complaints, according to testimony on Tuesday in a federal sexual
harassment lawsuit.
Melody Ridgley-Fortunato, a Hollywood officer
from 1982 to 1992 who is now a lawyer, is accusing the city of allowing
sexual harassment to rage unchecked in the Police Department.
She
also has filed a lawsuit in Broward Circuit Court, which names three
officers - Lt. Brian Maher and officers Louis Granteed and Kevin
Companion - in addition to the city. Both lawsuits seek unspecified
damages.
In testimony over two days before U.S. District Judge
William Zloch in Fort Lauderdale, Ridgley-Fortunato said male officers
constantly made sexually explicit comments to her and behind her back.
She said she never reported the alleged harassment to her bosses because that was unacceptable.
"It was the atmosphere, you just didn't complain," she said. "It was somewhat like a brotherhood, you had to fit in."
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A female colleague, Cynthia Commella, took the stand and backed some of Ridgley-Fortunato's allegations.
Commella said Companion was one of the chief culprits.
"[Companion) talked about what Melody wore under her uniform, that she had different teddies under her uniform," Commella said.
Ridgley-Fortunato never invited or egged on such behavior, Commella said.
"Melody was always a lady," Commella said.
The city is being defended by assistant city attorneys Daniel Abbott and Denise O'Hara.
"We
certainly deny all of the allegations," City Attorney Jamie Cole said.
"In all work environments people make jokes, Mrs. Ridgley-Fortunato
participated in those jokes. That doesn't constitute sexual harassment."
Find more stories about
•Lawsuit
•Allegations
FEATURED ARTICLES
•Hollywood Should Make Changes In Police Department Hiring
Ex-officer Alleges Men Made Sexual Remarks
December 07, 1994|By TREVOR JENSEN Staff Writer
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A
bawdy, locker-room atmosphere has long pervaded the Hollywood Police
Department, making female officers uncomfortable while stifling their
complaints, according to testimony on Tuesday in a federal sexual
harassment lawsuit.
Melody Ridgley-Fortunato, a Hollywood officer
from 1982 to 1992 who is now a lawyer, is accusing the city of allowing
sexual harassment to rage unchecked in the Police Department.
She
also has filed a lawsuit in Broward Circuit Court, which names three
officers - Lt. Brian Maher and officers Louis Granteed and Kevin
Companion - in addition to the city. Both lawsuits seek unspecified
damages.
In testimony over two days before U.S. District Judge
William Zloch in Fort Lauderdale, Ridgley-Fortunato said male officers
constantly made sexually explicit comments to her and behind her back.
She said she never reported the alleged harassment to her bosses because that was unacceptable.
"It was the atmosphere, you just didn't complain," she said. "It was somewhat like a brotherhood, you had to fit in."
Advertisement
A female colleague, Cynthia Commella, took the stand and backed some of Ridgley-Fortunato's allegations.
Commella said Companion was one of the chief culprits.
"[Companion) talked about what Melody wore under her uniform, that she had different teddies under her uniform," Commella said.
Ridgley-Fortunato never invited or egged on such behavior, Commella said.
"Melody was always a lady," Commella said.
The city is being defended by assistant city attorneys Daniel Abbott and Denise O'Hara.
"We
certainly deny all of the allegations," City Attorney Jamie Cole said.
"In all work environments people make jokes, Mrs. Ridgley-Fortunato
participated in those jokes. That doesn't constitute sexual harassment."
Find more stories about
•Lawsuit
•Allegations
FEATURED ARTICLES
•Hollywood Should Make Changes In Police Department Hiring