« on: February 18, 2009, 07:49:26 AM »
Jury Says San Diego Firefighters Were Sexually Harassed in Gay Parade
SAN DIEGO — A jury determined Tuesday that four San Diego firefighters were sexually harassed for being ordered to participate in a gay pride parade and awarded them combined damages of $34,300.
The firefighters — Alex Kane, Chad Allison, Capt. John Ghiotto and Capt. Jason Hewitt — claimed they were subjected to sexually charged conduct and lewd comments while riding a fire engine in the July 2007 parade, which drew about 150,000 spectators.
The firefighters' attorney, Charles LiMandri, said during his closing argument that his clients were targets of vulgar gestures and catcalls while being forced to watch barely clothed men and women simulate sex acts and touch themselves and one another.
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Deputy City Attorney Don Shanahan said the firefighters weren't satisfied after Chief Tracy Jarman apologized and promised to change the department's policy and use only volunteers in the parade.
"The department bent over backwards," Shanahan told jurors.
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If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.
