Suit accuses parole board member of sexual harassment

ATLANTA - A former secretary claims in a lawsuit that Pardons and Paroles Board member Gene Walker sexually harassed her and eventually had her moved to another job. <br> <br> Patricia Alexander also named the parole board in the lawsuit filed Friday in Superior Court. She said Chairman Walter Ray knew of Walker&#39;s harassment and his reason for ordering her job transfer, and that Ray pressured her to withdraw her complaint ``so as not to &#39;hurt the entire board.&#39;&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Walker could not be reached for comment Friday. In November, he called the allegations ``wild charges&#39;&#39; and ``a bunch of lies.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> According to the lawsuit, Walker often laced his conversations with sexual innuendo and obscene language. It said he made ``inappropriate displays of affection&#39;&#39; and remarks on Alexander&#39;s body. <br> <br> ``While escalating the frequency of his sexually offensive comments, defendant Walker also began requiring ... (Alexander) sit in his office so he could stare at her while she worked,&#39;&#39; the suit said. <br> <br> Board spokeswoman Stephanie McConnell said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. She said the suit against Walker is the first sexual harassment suit against a board member. <br> <br> Two other members of the five-member board already are subjects of an investigation by the state attorney general&#39;s office into allegations that they took payments to lobby for a change in state law.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/197712