Court dates haven’t been announced yet, but a federal lawsuit against Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Herman Jones and Assistant Superintendent Jason De Vore is moving forward.
Former majors Scott Harrington and Joshua Kellerman filed the five-count lawsuit alleging they were unlawfully terminated and the victims of retaliation. Both have claimed Jones created a hostile work environment with gender discrimination and sexual harassment against at least seven women, ranging from inappropriate comments and graphic text messages to inappropriate touching. Both also say they were the subject of several retaliatory moves, startiing with potential assignments going to other troopers and ending in a forced resignation for Harrington and termination for Kellerman.
Harrington had served with the Highway Patrol from 2000 until this past July, while Kellerman had been with the Highway Patrol since 2003. A Highway Patrol spokesperson says they did not meet standards as laid out by their superiors. An investigation by Governor Laura Kelly’s office found no wrongdoing on Jones’ part earlier this year.
No specific dollar amount is listed, but Harrington and Kellerman are asking for economic damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs as part of the suit.
