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May. 10, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Settlement considered in lawsuit by officer

By SEAN WHALEY
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU

Capt. Jacquelyn Sandage
Nevada's first female Highway Patrol captain filed suit in 2006

CARSON CITY -- A state panel will consider Tuesday whether to pay the Nevada Highway Patrol's first female captain nearly half a million dollars to settle a federal civil rights case alleging sexual harassment and misconduct by top patrol officials.

The attorney general's office has recommended that the Board of Examiners approve the $480,000 settlement for Capt. Jacquelyn Sandage, whose lawsuit alleges sexual harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation and other claims.

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    • Sandage filed her lawsuit in U.S. District Court in late 2006, just months after the patrol's chief resigned and one of his majors was demoted following a Department of Public Safety investigation into allegations they sexually harassed Sandage.

    Col. David Hosmer, 50, resigned, and Maj. Robert Wideman, 49, chief of the Northern Nevada command, was demoted.

    In a brief report to the Board of Examiners, newly appointed Department of Public Safety Director Jerry Hafen asked for a settlement, "including conditions that will remedy the disruptive effect Captain Sandage's involvement in the litigation is having on the department."

    A source familiar with the settlement said Sandage will retain her rank and continue working on special projects, including homeland security, in the Department of Public Safety director's office.

    The Board of Examiners, made up of Gov. Jim Gibbons, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller, must approve the settlement.

    Neither Sandage nor her attorney could be reached for comment.

    The complaint predates the current administration of the Public Safety Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol.

    In her complaint filed in November 2006, Sandage said she was "leered at" by a high ranking highway patrol official and told, "you look good in uniform. I like a woman in uniform."

    The complaint says that Hosmer once said: "I know why I don't like that new jacket, I can't see your ass."

    Sandage said Hosmer referred to her as "the princess" and that some male troopers openly referred to her by a derogatory sexual phrase and that such references were tolerated by management.

    Sandage also said a job application for McDonald's restaurant was placed in her office mail box and that Hosmer openly made sexist remarks and jokes.

    Sandage also says she was subjected to at least one unfounded attempt to discipline her.

    Sandage said the Department of Public Safety was aware of Hosmer's attitudes and behavior but took no action.

    "The NHP has a history of bypassing procedures with regard to promotions and assignments and to affording promotions and favorable assignments based on influence and connections," Sandage said in the complaint. "Such a practice has resulted in discrimination against plaintiff and other female employees, who have not benefitted from the 'good ol' boy' system maintained by the NHP to the degree male employees have benefitted."

    Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.

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    code4 wrote on May 13, 2008 03:25 PM: How come nobody is questioning the fact Captain Jackie Sandage embezzled Homeland Security funds to complete her masters degree? This grant money was to be available to all of the Troopers regardless of rank. Also, does anyone realize she acheived the rank of captain and only has three years on the street out of her sixteen year career. She must have made some very close friends in the upper ranks. Captain Sandage has sat on the board to render decisions regarding gender and sexual harrassment cases filed legitimately by other female troopers. Captain Sandage always denied those cases for the other females. Double standard...I think so. Well, I could not look in the mirror and live with myself filing such a fradulent case. I hope the Director of Public Safety finds it in his heart to make sure Captain Sandage's career comes to an abrupt hault.


    John wrote on May 11, 2008 09:37 PM: This is not the first time NHP has had to pay out cash for sexual mis-conduct. Mary a former State trooper in LasVegas now lives in Pahrump and runs her Mail box etc. with her award for the same thing. It's too bad a few bad eggs can make a great police agency look bad.


    David Johann wrote on May 10, 2008 08:47 PM: As a former federal employee, now for years employed in the private sector, I look at some interesting facts:

    "Col. David Hosmer, 50, resigned, and Maj. Robert Wideman, 49, chief of the Northern Nevada command, was demoted."

    WHY? WHY, WHY, WHY?

    Uh, her case must have merit.

    Sorry about that, right-wing Fox "News" Channel types. BTW, how's your AM reception?


    GOD wrote on May 10, 2008 11:50 AM: If the taxpayers aren't paying off wrongful-death lawsuits for the NHP or Metro or HPD for shooting innocent citizens, then were paying threw the nose for sexual harassment lawsuits.

    All the while crime continues to increase.


    lawyer wrote on May 10, 2008 11:43 AM: to "o l d":

    states are immune, but not their agencies or subdivisions. that is, you can't sue the state of nevada, but you can sue the nevada highway patrol or the city of henderson or the las vegas metropolitan police department, etc. in federal court.


    o l d wrote on May 10, 2008 10:35 AM: How is it this case proceeded in federal court? States are immune from civil suit in federal courts.


    GHN wrote on May 10, 2008 10:28 AM: Come on guys,everyone has the right to work a in a environment free of fellow worker BS. The GOB need to get their backside kicked once in a while. So what's the problem.

    There are more suits in Federal Court as we read this. You ain't seen nothing yet.


    Mike L. wrote on May 10, 2008 10:00 AM: Sandage is just another tax-sucking parasite looking for free money from tax-payers. She is evil and so are her co-"workers".


    Gold Digger wrote on May 10, 2008 09:26 AM: The NHP is full of good old boys and I have no doubt all of the charges are true. But $480,000? That's ridiculous. This experienced police officer, who's presumably worked the streets, has not been harmed that much. And she's supposedly going to keep working? Right.


    odog wrote on May 10, 2008 07:50 AM: It is wrong for tax payors to have to pay damage settlements for government employees. ALL and I repeat All indiviuals that 'get on' with the government in any capacity should have to purchase and maintain professional liabilty at their own expense prior to employment, that would include all wrongful actions committed while employeed by any enity that is funded by taxpayors. Lawyers, insurance agents, finantial advisers and doctors are required to provide professional liabilty coverage.
    There is a cap of $50,000 on damages for accidents cused by school buses and law enforcement. The same should apply for all other damages if professional liabilty is not required.


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