City of Oakland to pay $2.6M over ‘sexually hostile work environment’ at senior center
(KRON) — The City of Oakland will pay out more than $2.6 million after an Alameda County jury concluded that the city failed to protect an employee from years of sexual harassment, according to Vinick Hyams Trial Partners law firm.
The victim of the harassment was identified by the law firm as Patricia Toscano, who was born and raised in East Oakland. She had worked for the city for nearly 10 years before she was transferred to the East Oakland Senior Center, located at 9225 Edes Ave.
Toscano and others who volunteered at the facility said Frank Knight, a supervisor who oversaw custodial services at Oakland’s senior centers, “created a sexually hostile work environment.” Knight touched Toscano, tried to kiss her and engaged in “locker room talk,” according to the law firm.
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Toscano reported the harassment to Oakland’s Department of Human Services in 2016, but nothing was done about the situation, per the law firm. About two years later, an anonymous person filed a complaint and the city initiated an investigation.
An investigator found that Knight had engaged in inappropriate behavior and harassment. However, testimony at trial showed that the city did not take action, the law firm said.
“This case is about the City of Oakland’s decision to protect a harasser instead of the woman he was harassing,” said Katherine Smith, a senior associate with one of the two firms representing Toscano.
The jury ruled unanimously in favor of Toscano.
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