Read more: Local, Crime, Harlingen, Cameron County, Rio Grande Valley, Police, Captain, Case, Verdict, Alicia Garcia
HARLINGEN -- There was a mixed verdict handed down in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the City of Harlingen and a police captain.
Officer Alicia Garcia claimed in the suit she was discriminated against because of her sex.
Jurors were asked this question:
“Did the City of Harlingen, through its supervisor(s) In charge of employment decisions, deny Alicia Garcia's request for re-assignment to the following positions because of Alicia Garcia's sex?”
Their answer was “yes”-- across the board.
Compensation was awarded to Garcia to the tune of $27,500 plus attorney fees.
Action 4 News legal analyst John Blaylock explained what that decision meant.
"The jury found the evidence sufficient to find that Alicia Garcia was discriminated against by the city and its supervisors based on sex," said Blaylock.
But when asked whether Officer Garcia was denied her request for reassignment because she “rejected sexual advances, requests or demands by Captain Ramon Vela,” the Jury cited “No”-- for all possible positions.
And while it appeared to some Vela was cleared of wrongdoing, the Jury awarded Garcia $100,000 in punitive damages.
We asked Blaylock how this could be?
"It wasn't entirely clear how they arrived at punitive damages but it is clear they assessed them against Ramon Vela only-- so what they Jury was thinking the judge is going to have to reconcile this... that's his job," said Blaylock.
So while jurors found Captain Vela not liable for Garcia's missed promotions due to “sexual advances,” Blaylock believed they did find his actions punishable.
A final judgment isn’t expected for several weeks.
