College employee alleges sexual harassment by administrator

GALVESTON - A Galveston County woman claims she was wrongfully terminated from a local community college because she complained about alleged sexual harassment.

While employed by College of the Mainland, plaintiff Sandra Brewer claims she had a poor experience working as an assistant to Al Bass, one of the college's associate vice presidents.

Brewer filed a suit against College of the Mainland on Feb. 16 in Galveston County District Court.

She alleges she went through "a two-year pattern of sexual harassment" between early 2006 and mid-2008.

Bass, the associate vice president of physical education and leisure and wellness, would persistently make sexual advances and remarks toward Brewer almost daily, she alleges.

"Mr. Bass placed the plaintiff in a position in his office that her personal space was none," the original petition states.

Brewer argues that Bass rarely made lewd comments in the presence of others, but "there were times that others were present."

She adds that her former superior would also brag with respect to his bedroom prowess.

Bass was even told by the plaintiff to stop the misconduct, but he ignored her request, the suit says.

"After making her complaint, Bass escalated his behavior," according to the case, adding that Brewer was not the only woman colleague exposed to Bass' reported conduct.

The plaintiff says she filed an internal discrimination complaint only to be questioned by co-workers, sent home without pay for three weeks and a day, and demoted to a position that included janitorial work.

She even claims to have been on the receiving end of physical threats and isolation until she was dismissed on Dec. 18, 2008.

"The reason for the termination was pretextual and simply a ruse designed to hide the illegal conduct," the suit says.

Consequently, Brewer seeks at least $75,000 from the college.

She is represented by Galveston attorney Anthony P. Griffin.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor.

Case No. 10cv0474