A federal jury has awarded $225,000 to a Baltimore County school employee who sued the school board, alleging she was the victim of sexual harassment.
The jury on Friday ruled in favor of Terri Westbook, who worked in Baltimore County schools for nine years ? from May 1993 to December 2002 ? including time as a fingerprint technician in the schools? security department.
Westbook alleged that between June 2000 and February 2002, a co-worker, Charles Jenkins, sexually harassed her on at least two occasions and also harassed other women in the workplace.
Westbook said she complained of Jenkins? behavior to the school system?s Wellness Program in 2001, but his actions didn?t stop.
In March 2002, Jenkins became Westbook?s supervisor, harassed her repeatedly and eventually fired her, according to her lawsuit.
Westbook?s termination was carried out by Baltimore County Public School System and affirmed by the Board of Education.
“Westbook was subjected to a hostile work environment because of her sex,” her complaint states.
School officials “should have been aware of Jenkins? prohibited conduct toward Westbrook and other females,” Westbook?s Baltimore attorney Thomas Corbin wrote in the lawsuit.
Westbook?s lawsuit, which was filed in June 2005, sought damages in excess of $1 million.
Attorneys for the school system did not return phone calls seeking comment.
