State development office, supervisor sued for harassment

CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman filed a lawsuit against her supervisor, claiming he sexually harassed her when they worked together.

Angela Negley filed a suit June 28 in Kanawha Circuit Court against William F. Spence and the West Virginia Development Office, where they both worked.

According to the suit, Spence created a hostile work environment by subjecting Negley to unwelcome sexual remarks, inappropriate touching and e-mails of a sexual nature.

Negley claims she asked Spence to stop, and in June 2005, complained to other supervisors. She also applied for various positions within the agency. However, she was not promoted. Negley claims she was not promoted because of the complaints she made regarding sexual harassment.

According to the suit, Negley claims the hostile and intimidation workforce is a violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.

Negley seeks punitive damages and seeks an effective sexual harassment training program, as well as a promotion for while she had previously applied.

Attorney Paul M. Stroble is representing Negley. The case has been assigned to Judge Tod Kaufman.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-1297