Williamstown Sergeant Alleges Sex Harassment and Bias in Dept.

iBerkshires.Com reports a longtime sergeant in the Williamstown Police Department says he and others have, for years,  been subjected to a hostile work environment that included unwanted sexual touching, use of racist epithets and behavior, demeaning remarks and retaliation.

Sgt. Scott McGowan, in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, claims that Chief Kyle Johnson sexually assaulted male and female officers in 2007 by repeatedly rubbing his groin up against them.

It names Johnson and Town Manager Jason Hoch, who McGowan says was made aware of discriminatory conduct within the department but did not investigate.

McGowan first brought his case to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination last November. After reviewing the allegations and taking statements from Johnson and Hoch, the MCAD referred the complaint to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.