TEXAS CITY – In a lawsuit laced with lurid accusations, a former College of the Mainland employee is suing the school, claiming discrimination and that sex factored in her employment.
Sandra Brewer, an African-American terminated from the college in 2008, claims in the lawsuit filed by attorney Anthony P. Griffin that she was not hired after applying for seven full-time jobs.
Brewer also brought to the institution’s attention a two-year pattern of sexual harassment, the lawsuit claims.
Brewer complained about her supervisor, Al Bass, to the director of the Office of Diversity and Equity, accusing Bass of sex-based actions and sexually laden comments, the lawsuit claims.
Brewer was an assistant to Bass, who was director of the college’s wellness program, the lawsuit claims.
The college declined to comment on the lawsuit. Bass, however, said he is “unequivocally innocent of all charges.”
Bass is accused of discouraging Brewer to apply for positions filled by white employees, the lawsuit claim.
Bass also is accused of touching Brewer in sexual ways and placing her in an office with no personal space, the lawsuit claims.
The incidents happened outside the presence of others with the exception of a few comments, the lawsuit claims.
One of the comments overheard by another included a reference to a vibrator, the lawsuit claims.
“‘A man could never satisfy a woman who uses a vibrator,'” the lawsuit claims he said.
Bass also would brag about his sexual performance and abilities in the bedroom, the lawsuit claims.
Brewer asked Bass to cease his conduct, but after making her complaint, the behavior escalated, the lawsuit claims.
Bass would subject women to conduct that was uncalled for, the lawsuit claims. He measured every female student’s chest, but none of the men’s chests, the lawsuit claims.
The measurements would follow comments about the students’ breast size behind their backs, the lawsuit claims.
After Brewer filed her discrimination complaint, she was questioned by others in the department and sent home without pay for more than three weeks, the lawsuit claims.
Brewer, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration, was then demoted to a position that included janitorial work, the lawsuit claims.
Brewer’s Dec. 18, 2008, dismissal was a ruse designed to hide illegal conduct, the lawsuit claims.
There are two sides to every story, Bass said in an e-mail to The Daily News.
“No one wishes to hear stories like this coming from an institution to which they have entrusted their child or they have attended,” Bass said.
Bass has worked at the college for 21 years, he said. The case involving Brewer’s claims was investigated twice, Bass said.
“For the ones who know me, your trust should not waiver,” Bass said. “I ask that the community reserve their judgment and allow the legal system to run its course. I am confident that the truth and the people involved in this will be exposed.”
In compensation for the disregard of her civil rights, the Brewer asks the school to admit it engaged in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race and sex, the lawsuit claims.
Brewer also seeks, among other things, back wages and benefits, and up to $105,000 in attorney fees.
The lawsuit was filed Feb. 16 in Judge John Ellisor’s 122nd District Court in Galveston.
Liberty Law Office represents individuals who are victims of harassment, discrimination, employment violations, personal injury, medical malpractice, dangerous products, wrongful death, defective drugs and devices, and civil rights violations. If you or someone you know needs representation, contact us at info@libertylaw.com.
