The wife of an Ohio University police officer is suing the school for $1.12 million, alleging her husband's superior sexually harassed her.
Cathy Sloane, the wife of Ohio University Police Department officer Greg Sloane, filed a lawsuit February 27, stating that Sloane's supervisor, Lt. Stephen Noftz, sexually harassed her over the phone, touched her inappropriately in public and tried to have sex with her. Sloane's report said that Noftz was responsible for her husband's OUPD evaluation, and he claimed he could get her husband fired if she told anyone about his advances.
OU can be held responsible for the actions of its employees if they are acting in good faith or in the scope of employment or if the university has knowledge of an illegal action, said John Burns, director of OU's Legal Affairs Office.
Generally
sexual harassment behavior is outside of the scope of employment and will not be blamed on the university, Burns said, adding that OU still has an obligation to report employees suspected of illegal behavior.
Colleen Cook, an attorney from Marietta, will begin investigating the report Thursday, Burns said. The report will not be released to the media until it can be assessed.
The report is still in an investigative state he said, and he will not speculate about if the allegations are accurate.
OUPD will not comment on the case because it is under investigation, said Lt. Rich Russell.
When Cook finishes her investigation, it will be turned over to the Court of Claims of Ohio, a court in Columbus to deal with suits against state entities that will assess the validity of Sloane's case and OU's responsibility for Noftz's actions, Burns said.
If OU is found responsible, the case will proceed. If the court finds that Noftz's actions are outside of the scope of his employment, Sloane can still bring a lawsuit against Noftz, Burns said.
If she wants to sue Steve Noftz individually that is her prerogative
he said.
Burns said the attorney handling Sloane's case, Jeffrey Pettys, seemed unfamiliar with cases in the Court of Claims. Pettys asked for punitive damages, which are not awarded by the court, he said.
Pettys could not be reached for comment.
A court date for the case has not been set and the case might not be resolved until next fall, Burns said.
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