Blind woman receives $3M over loss of job

HARRISBURG (AP) -- A jury awarded $3 million Tuesday to a blind woman who was fired from her job as director of Pennsylvania's agency for the blind and visually impaired.
Christine L. Boone, who was forced out as director of the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services in 2003, claimed she was discriminated against because of her disability.
A lawyer representing the defendants argued that Boone was fired because of her shortcomings as a manager.
The jury awarded her $180,000 in punitive damages, but her lawyer said he would instead ask U.S. District Judge Sylvia Rambo to reinstate her to her old job.
"We're going to beg for her job back," said Boone's attorney, Arch Stokes.
Boone, 44, said she was "elated" by the verdict.
The federal lawsuit names the state Department of Labor and Industry and its secretary, Stephen Schmerin, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and its since-retired executive director, Stephen Nasuti.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.