Sexual harassment settlement OK’d

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A woman who worked as an investigator for the state Division of Investigation is going to receive a $15,000 settlement of her claims that she was sexually harassed and may have been sexually assaulted by her boss.

The state Board of Examiners on Monday approved the payment to Victoria Kortopattis, who worked in the division's Winnemucca office. She contended the harassment took place from July 1991 to December 1992.

The supervisor, who was not identified, quit rather than being fired. Kortopattis, who has moved out of state, filed suit but will dismiss it in return for the settlement. The attorney general's office said the state is liable by law for the activities of its supervisors.

Meanwhile, the board denied a claim for $3,000 filed by Danny Conran, who was an inmate at the Southern Desert Correctional Center near Indian Springs. Conran claims he was given an injection of Valium prescribed for someone else. He said he became disoriented and fell out of his bed, injuring his shoulder and knee.

The injection was prescribed for another inmate named Conrad. But when Conrad's name was called at sick call, Conran stepped forward and took the injection without protest. Conran also told the nurse he had a prescription for the drug.

The board agreed with its lawyers, who said Conran had a chance to prevent the injection and did nothing.