Former Trinity College public safety officer files sexual discrimination lawsuit
Hartford CT January 16 2019
A former public safety dispatcher is suing Trinity College and a former supervisor, alleging sexual discrimination, a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of his civil rights.
Thomas Cashman, who was a campus safety officer temporarily working a dispatcher while recovering from an injury, was sexually harassed on two occasions in 2016 by his supervisor, Brian Killian, according to the federal suit filed in US District Court in New Haven.
The suit alleges that the first incident occurred June 16, when Killian asked Cashman to look at him while he was working in the dispatch center. When Cashman turned to look, Killian had both his hands down his pants and two fingers sticking out of the zipper area moving back and forth, according to the suit.
Killian’s lawyer declined comment on the allegations.
Cashman said he immediately told Killian that what he did was disgusting and offensive and that he demanded that he not do it again. He also reported the incident to his supervisor and was told by the school that Killian would be counseled and that his actions were a violation of Trinity’s sexual harassment policy and would not be tolerated, according to the suit.
The suit alleges that the second incident occurred in October as Cashman was nearing the end of a shift in the dispatch center. According to Cashman, Killian entered the area and said “would you guys like to see something?” A coworker responded “no but Cash would.” When Cashman turned around he saw two wiggling fingers sticking out of Killian’s pants through his zipper and in Cashman’s face, according to the suit.
Cashman said he reported the second incident to Trinity’s Campus Safety Director Brian Heavren, who he said was dismissive but agreed to look into the incident. Cashman said he also met with Timothy Dunn, the school’s Title IX director, who told him an investigation would be conducted and that a restraining order would be placed on Killian.
According to the suit, the restraining order against Killian was never enforced.
The suit also alleges that Trinity twice refused to reinstate Cashman as a campus safety patrol officer and that Killian admitted to the misconduct during the investigation. According to the suit, the school’s disciplinary committee met in January 2017 and determined that Killian should be fired. The suit alleges that Trinity Vice President Joseph DiChristina, a friend of Killian’s spoke on his behalf. As a result, the suit claims, Killian was suspended for two weeks and had his supervisory status revoked for one year.
In August, according to the suit, Killian, who had been told to have no contact with Cashman, entered the dispatch area where Cashman was working and two supervisors who knew of the order did nothing to remove Killian, who walked by him and smirked at him.
Cashman said the encounter caused him to have a panic attack and drive to Manchester Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted.
Trinity spokeswoman Karen Andrews declined to comment other than to say Killian is no longer employed by the school.
Attorney James Brewer said the school took the side of a “serial sexual harasser” over his client and that Killian was only fired after he harassed Cashman again.
Hartford Courant
