Lawsuit Accuses Police Commission Director Of Harassment, Creating Hostile Workplace

Three former employees of the Cleveland Community Police Commission have filed a lawsuit accusing the director of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.

The suit alleges that commission director Jason Goodrick frequently made sexual comments to employee Bethany Studenic, discussing her appearance and talking about his own sex life.

It also accuses Goodrick of making demeaning comments to employee Rosemary Jovic about her mental health.

The lawsuit says Goodrick yelled at the women, including a third employee, Chinenye Thompson. It says he pounded on a wall and a desk and cut them out of meetings after they complained about him.

The city placed Goodrick on a four-week paid leave in April amid an investigation. The suit alleges that city finance director Sharon Dumas told the women they were under investigation, too, and said “don’t give me a reason to come after you.”

Goodrick and the city are named as defendants. The city declined to comment. No response to the allegations has yet been filed.