State pays $75,000 claim for sexual harassment

Friday, Dec. 11, 1998 | 9:33 a.m.

Corey-Lynn Kern, awarded the $75,000 by the state Board of Examiners, was a longtime employee at NDOT who charged that she was repeatedly subjected to abusive treatment by male co-workers.

In addition, she wasn't promoted even though her performance reviews were superior to a male co-worker who was promoted.

After a particularly bad meeting with three male supervisors in July 1993, she became physically ill but still wasn't allowed to leave.

"She was ill for one day after the meeting and required brief hospitalization," according to the state's report of the case.

"Her supervisors were disciplined for their conduct," according to the backup materials provided Wednesday to the board, which consists of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general.

The largest claim approved by the board was $154,017 to the estate of Jean Reynolds, who died after hitting a snowbank left in the right of way by a state snowplow.

Another $90,000 will go to the parents of David Compton, who despite suicidal tendencies was allowed to pick up a month's supply of his medication instead of having his group home operator distribute smaller doses.

"That evening he took the entire amount of the prescribed medication along with some other drugs," according to the narrative presented to the board. "He died during the night."

In addition, the board agreed to pay Primitive Arts Inc. of Tucson, Ariz., $55,000 to buy back three Dat-So-La-Lee baskets stolen from the Nevada Historical Society two years ago.

Four baskets were stolen but the state bought back one through an anonymous individual working through an attorney.

The art dealer was offered the three remaining baskets and bought them in 1997. But an expert recognized the baskets and contacted the historical society, which notified the FBI.

The baskets are valued at about $400,000.