Sexual harassment claim probed

The accusations include jokes, remarks and stories of a sexual nature.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Kevin B. Ward remains on the job as municipal court administrator while the law department checks out an allegation of sexual harassment.

Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. said that, as administrative/presiding judge for the court, he took the matter “very seriously” when it was brought to his attention.

He said it was important to get an outside objective review, so he turned the investigation over to the law department.

The judge said the allegation involves remarks, nothing physical. He said Ward remains on the job.

The Vindicator made a public records request to Dan T. Pribich, first assistant law director, for the complaint.

In a letter to Judge Douglas, a woman in the court’s probation department expressed concern about inappropriate conversations she said have taken place between Ward and other female probation officers.

The conversations consisted of jokes, remarks and stories of a sexual nature, the letter says. Also, the probation department has been subjected to what the female employees consider sexist remarks.

Ward said Tuesday his co-workers obviously feel that he said something inappropriate, but he has not seen the complaint and doesn’t think he said anything offensive.

He said he knows the accusation came from the probation department but doesn’t know if more than one woman complained.

Until the probe is complete, Ward said his supervision of the probation department has been suspended. He said he respects the judges and his co-workers.

Pribich was expected to begin conducting interviews Tuesday, Ward added. The court administrator called the situation very serious.

“I think we all believe in the process and want to let the process take its route,” Ward said.

The court administrator, hired last July, is paid $57,605.