NDOT wins discrimination lawsuit

A Las Vegas jury has ruled in favor of the Nevada Department of Transportation in a case charging gender discrimination.

Kenna Perkins filed the lawsuit in federal court after she was terminated from her probationary position as an engineering technician in June 1997. She claimed she was subjected to a hostile work environment and denied a transfer because she is female.

Perkins was part of a survey crew and claimed in her suit that her supervisor questioned her decisions and forced her to take an exam she wasn't prepared for.

The court threw those charges out, saying the actions of her supervisor were not sexual in nature but suggested his frustration with her lack of knowledge of surveying.

The trial centered on her claim she couldn't get a transfer to the construction division including claims that the assistant district engineer made statements that women don't belong on construction crews.

The jury disagreed and ruled for the state.

"This case had more to do with a disappointed individual trying to blame others on the basis of improper motives," said Deputy Attorney General Brian Hutchins.