Lesbian ex-firefighter wins $800,000 in harassment lawsuit
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A former Rhode Island firefighter who said she suffered years of sexual harassment and gender discrimination by her colleagues has been awarded more than $800,000.
Former Prov Firefighter Lori Franchina wins sexual harassment suit against the department. More on @ABC6 at 11. pic.twitter.com/KkBcO9eXU3
— Ana Bottary (@AnaBottary) April 18, 2016
Retired Providence fire Lt. Lori Franchina sued in federal court in 2012, accusing her male colleagues of harassing and discriminating against her because she is a woman and a lesbian. A jury handed up the award Monday after a nearly two-week trial.
Franchina alleges she developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder because of the constant mistreatment. She says her superiors also failed to stop it.
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The city had said Franchina was known to be difficult to get along with and said she failed to lodge a complaint with its Equal Employment Opportunity officer.
City spokeswoman Emily Crowell tells WPRI-TV the city plans to appeal.