NHP discrimination suit dismissed

Wednesday, May 1, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A federal judge has dismissed a gender discrimination suit brought by Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Christine Zaporowski, who says she was discriminated against over her five-year career.

U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson found Zaporowski's claims without merit.

The trooper said a hostile work environment was created when an announcement was posted at work for an activity sponsored by an all-male motorcycle club.

Dawson said the poster was intended to drum up support for a toy drive around Christmastime. It invited both sexes to participate, he said.

Dawson, in his ruling last week, rejected a complaint by Zaporowski that she was forced to travel from Las Vegas to Carson City in September 1999 to take part in a photo shoot along with other female troopers.

The photograph, taken in front of the memorial for slain law enforcement officers, was used to encourage more women to apply to the patrol.

"To even allege that this 'incident' created a hostile work environment demonstrates the frivolity of plaintiff's claim," Dawson wrote. "This was not conduct of a sexual nature. Nor could it be objectively viewed as abusive."

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Tuesday four other female troopers sued in federal court in 2000 claiming gender discrimination. Two of the suits have been dismissed and are now on appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The other two suits are expected to go to trial later this year.