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Lawyer claims investigation into UPD Lieutenant result of gender discrimination suit

By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Sep 16, 2010 at 12:24 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 16, 2010 at 1:51 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - One name was conspicuously absent from the roster of Utica Police officers being promoted at city hall on Thursday.

Lt. Grace Pruitt has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming she was passed over for a promotion to captain because she is a woman. Once again Thursday, she was not promoted to the spot.

Now, however, Pruitt finds herself dealing with other professional headaches. She is the subject of an internal investigation regarding sexual harassment charges stemming from alleged improper use of a UPD computer.

"I would hope UPD would realize they have better things to investigate and drop this. The allegations against her have no merit," says Pruitt's Albany-area attorney, Peter Henner.

Lt. Pruitt's boss at UPD disagrees.

"Well obviously if subordinates are bringing it to our attention, it does have merit or we wouldn't be investigating it," says Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.

Pruitt's attorney says his client used a work computer to look up a term, the definition of which she did not know, and that the term turned out to be obscene, and accompanied by a pornographic image.

UPD's professional standards unit interviewed Lt. Pruitt on Wednesday regarding the allegations. Outcomes can range from the charges being dropped to termination.

Pruitt's federal lawsuit against the city is expected to go to trial sometime next year.
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