Female police officer sues college for racial and gender discrimination

MARSHALL - Claiming she was a victim of racial and sexual discriminatory acts so severe that she attempted suicide, a female police officer has filed a lawsuit against the college campus where she worked.

Arguing violations of her civil rights, Adriana Victoria Rivera filed suit against Texas State Technical College at Marshall on Aug. 29 in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

Rivera is a Hispanic female, who was employed by the defendant as a police officer on the Marshall campus from June 1, 2007, until July 13, 2009.

Rivera states that her supervisor committed acts of racial and sexual discrimination toward her. These acts included physically grabbing Rivera, suggestive remarks and demands that Rivera touch the supervisor. According to the lawsuit, the stress and humiliation was so severe that Rivera attempted suicide on July 12, 2009.

Rivera claims she was fired in retaliation for refusing to engage in sexual conduct and for speaking to the appropriate authorities about conduct.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of front pay, back pay, reimbursement for lost fringe benefits, compensatory damages for mental anguish, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, court costs and interest.

Rivera is represented by Joshua L. Potter of The Potter Law Firm in Texarkana. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstap is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00559