BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Water Works employee Robin A. Hendrix has won more than $110,000 in a sex harassment suit against the city and supervisor John Atkins.
Her suit, filed in U.S. District Court by attorney Ivan Tamarkin, said her troubles began when she was promoted from truck driver - jackhammer operator to customer service representative.
Harassment by her new supervisor, Mr. Atkins, and his boss, Frank Bellisimo, was so intense that Mrs. Hendrix returned to truck driving, Mr. Tamarkin said on Tuesday.
Mr. Atkins' abuse ranged from yelling at Mrs. Hendrix to refusing to allow her to wear cologne at work, Mr. Tamarkin told jurors.
When she complained to Mr. Bellisimo, he refused to intervene, Mr. Tamarkin said.
When Mrs. Hendrix accused Mr. Bellisimo of tolerating harassment, he retaliated by threatening to sue her for defamation, Mr. Tamarkin added.
Mrs. Hendrix, of Finneytown, won $4,319.80 from the city for retaliation, $5,000 from Mr. Atkins and $101,000 from the city for harassment.
Mr. Tamarkin said he would ask Magistrate Judge Jack Sherman Jr. for another $15,000 in prejudgment interest and attorney's fees, which the city, not Mrs. Hendrix, would pay.
