Opinion ID: 1854995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Bonnie Frye

Text: Frye was respondent's court reporter from April or May 1991 until July 1995. Sometime during her first year of employment, Frye attempted to introduce her 70-year-old friend to respondent. Respondent refused, stating that he did not have time. At a later time when Frye asked respondent about his conduct, respondent told her that in his experience, friends could be many things and then asked her if she was screwing him. Frye testified that this statement made her furious. Respondent denies asking Frye if she was screwing her friend, because he does not use that type of language. Upon further questioning about the incident, respondent stated: Now, I met the old fella, I don't know his name, it could have been [Frye's friend], I remember him being from Alliance, I don't believe that I snubbed the man or treated him bad in any way. I didn't spend a lot of time standing around talking with him because I had things to do, but there was no follow-up conversation to that. He was not the kind of man who you would accuse anyone of having sex with, except his wife if he had one, and I didn't say that and I don't like being accused of it and it's wrong. Respondent also attempted to discredit Frye's credibility by questioning the circumstances under which she left the employment of respondent. Briefly, evidence was adduced that Frye had filed claims with the county for reporting services before she actually filed the transcripts with the court. Upon being made aware of this, respondent reportedly gave Frye the option of quitting or being terminated. However, at no time did respondent report Frye's alleged activities to the county attorney for criminal prosecution. Nonetheless, respondent contends that Frye's testimony is suspect at best, in that she ultimately lost her employment as a court reporter with respondent. The master, having witnessed and heard the testimony of Frye, determined her testimony concerning the comment made about Frye's friend was truthful. Finding that such a statement was made, the master concluded that respondent subjected Frye to sexual harassment. However, the master did not specifically state which canon or statute respondent violated in making the comment.