Woman says WVDOT violated state human rights act

CHARLESTON - A woman is suing West Virginia Department of Transportation for allegedly violating the West Virginia Human Rights Act.

Paul A. Mattox, the cabinet secretary of the Department of Transportation; and John Harbin were also named as defendants in the suit.

Jesse Andorn was employed by WVDOT and worked for the defendant's Scary Creek division, according to a complaint filed Nov. 25 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Andorn claims Harbin sexually harassed her and, despite making complaints, WVDOT took no action to correct the situation.

The defendants violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.

Andorn claims the defendants failed to properly respond to her complaints about the wrongful conduct of Harbin.

The defendant transferred Andorn from her position with the department and she suffered lost wages, emotional distress, embarrassment, indignity, humiliation and mental anguish, according to the suit.

Andorn is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Shawn R. Romano of Romano & Associates PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-2205