Twin Police Officers link to Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Suit

New Jersey – Twin police officers, Angel and Luis Santiago, were named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed in Cumberland County on behalf of five female officers who alleged they were subjected to “a plethora of sexual harassment” on the basis of gender.

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The sexual harassment lawyer representing the women said the sexual harassment lasted from 2008 until 2013. In addition to suffering from sexual harassment, the women, Deena Bertolini, Veronica Cheeseman, Carolyn Dover, Deanne Laing and Kelly Queen, claim they were exposed to a hostile work environment. According to the sexual harassment lawsuit, a minimum of 70 sexual harassment incidents occurred by Angel amongst the five women. Some of the ill-suited occurrences included unwanted physical contact, raunchy images, and conversations including inappropriate aspects of his sexual preference and lifestyle. The sexual harassment lawsuit revealed the women reported the hostile work environment became unbearable. The abuse became far too much to endure, which led the women to file official sexual harassment reports with their superiors. The sexual harassment reports led to an internal investigation in July 2013 by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bridgeton Police Department. In October 2013, the Bridgeton Police Department received adequate evidence to place Angel on Suspension, absent pay, for the sexual harassment allegations. Angel’s brother Luis was accused of workplace retaliation. The women said Luis fabricated artificial remarks regarding them, and stirred up false complaints to direct individuals to the absence of his twin brother. Initially the women were required to report to court for Angel’s disciplinary hearing, but a settlement took place, by the city, prior to the disciplinary hearing. Due financial and personal damages from experiencing workplace sexual harassment, the women are seeking lost wages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, office reinstatement, and “relief” based on the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. As the pending litigation proceeds, the women requested that the sexual harassment lawsuit appears before a jury.

Federal and State Laws

There are federal and state laws that protect employees from workplace violations such as discrimination or sexual harassment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits employees from discriminating against employees on the basis of color, race, religion, gender, sex, and national origin. New Jersey Law Against Discrimination is a state law protects employees from unlawful discrimination and treatment including, but not limited to, color, creed, race, age, sex, nationality, and national origin. In the event that you feel your employer breached one or both laws, contact a New York or New Jersey sexual harassment lawyer at Akin Law Group.

Contact a Sexual Harassment Lawyer at Akin Law Group

Our New York and New Jersey sexual harassment lawyers at the Akin Law Group are dedicated to fighting for what our