State to pay $99,999 over Capitol Police sexual harassment suit

By Cy Ryan

Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 | 5:15 p.m.

The state has agreed to pay $99,999 to a female state capitol police officer who said she was the victim of sexual and age discrimination.

Alice Valdez said in her District Court suit filed in September that five male officers harassed her and claimed she could not do her job because she was a woman.

The settlement filed Friday said the state and the five officers deny the allegations but agreed to settle.

Valdez's attorney Jeffrey Dickerson said the settlement "achieves a modicum of justice and it will save the taxpayers money. This would have been a long and expensive case, far more costly than the settlement."

Sgt. Ed "Mike" Rubio was fired and the others — William Walker, Christian Normandy, Chris Aranyos and Richard Mraz — received lesser disciplines.

The officers questioned whether Valdez, who is over age 40, could perform the required duties. One officer, according to the suit, talked to her about having sex and rubbed up against her in a sexual manner.

The officers suggested she should have been a "stay-at-home mom" or that she should look for a job at McDonald's.

She is one of four women on the force that provides security for elected Nevada officials and the governor's mansion.

Valdez said she was pleased the state "found a way to allow her to put this behind her."

Gov. Brian Sandoval had ordered an investigation into the conduct of the officers.