Las Vegas Constable Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

A female employee for the Las Vegas Township Constable, Jon Bonaventure, alleges that she was subjected to sexual harassment since he took office in 2011.

Kristy Henderson, the agency’s only female deputy filed a complaint in March. In July, she was fired from the force, which she believes was retaliatory.

According to Henderson’s complaint, Bonaventure began sexually harassing her as soon as he took office in 2011. In a 14 page handwritten complaint, Henderson related numerous instances in which Bonaventure would make references to her body and even once suggested she wear a mini-skirt and a garter belt to work instead of her deputy uniform. Bonaventure also tried to hug her against her will.

In another instance, Henderson observed Bonaventure walking around with his pants zipper down. When Henderson inquired about it, a co-worker told her he did that regularly.

Bonaventure’s harassment of Henderson was well-known among other employees who on numerous occasions pointed out to him that his behaviors were sexual harassment. Even employees of other constables and law enforcement agencies were aware of the harassment.

“They some of the rudest things to their (female) clerks,” an unidentified employee told the Las Vegas Sun, “A lot of sexual connotations. No doubt it is a hostile work environment.”

Henderson was let go just 3 months after she filed her initial complaint, partly sue to her complaint and also her defense of her boyfriend, who was also an officer at the constable’s office and was suspended for five days.

Pervasive and repeated sexual harassment, unfortunately, happens frequently in the workplace. Employees don’t have to tolerate this type of abuse and if their employers fail to halt the misconduct, they have the option of seeking out a sexual harassment lawyer to stop the abuse and get them financial compensation.