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Former Salem police dispatcher files gender discrimination lawsuit against city

LISBON — A former Salem police dispatcher terminated on April 5, 2023 filed a lawsuit Friday accusing the city of gender discrimination and creating a hostile work environment based on gender discrimination.

Joshua Kruegel, Salem, named the city of Salem, police Chief J.T. Panezott and dispatcher Lindsay Fraas as defendants.

Besides the gender discrimination and hostile work environment claims against the city, the lawsuit accused all of the defendants of alleged retaliation and Fraas and Panezott of alleged unlawful aiding, abetting and inciting of discrimination.

According to the document, Kruegel had filed charges of discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and received Right to Sue letters from the OCRC in April.

Kruegel started working for the city on Nov. 2, 2022 and at the time was the only male part-time employee in the police dispatch department, with Fraas as his direct supervisor.

He claimed that he met with Fraas on Dec. 21, 2022 to discuss a day-off request and during that time comments were made in reference to “an all-female atmosphere” and him being a “negative male presence.” In response, he said he complained about the alleged discrimination to a supervisor of Fraas and that no corrective action was taken.

On Jan. 7, 2023, Kruegel said he informed Panezott of the alleged harassment, providing the chief with emails and text messages highlighting alleged continued harassment, but claimed the chief failed to discipline Fraas and by failing to do so, ratified the alleged discrimination.

In March 2023, Kruegel sent a letter to Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey and city Law Director Brook Zellers outlining his treatment at the city and met with them on March 20, 2023. Kruegel then claimed Panezott was informed of what happened at the meeting, which he claimed was supposed to be confidential.

Kruegel then claimed Panezott allegedly retaliated against him, claiming rumors were spread and accusations made, causing other employees to harass him. A second meeting was held with Zellers over concerns of alleged retaliation and more alleged gender-based discrimination on March 29, 2023.

On April 5, 2023, Panezott terminated Kruegel’s employment.

In the lawsuit, Kruegel claimed the city skipped steps in the progressive discipline policy by firing him without any meaningful discipline, any written warnings or any suspension.

He claimed he was terminated without just cause based on his gender.

Kruegel wants a court order to get his job back and to expunge his personnel file of any negative documentation. He’s also seeking compensatory and punitive monetary damages for lost wages and emotional distress.

Panezott was contacted regarding the lawsuit, but could not comment.

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