A former corrections officer is suing Butler County, alleging sexual harassment by supervisors, including sheriff Bill Heaton.

In a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Debra Dugger alleges sexual harassment and discrimination during the time she worked at the Butler County Jail.

Actions Dugger described as harassment other officers defended as horseplay in a two-day, non-jury trial this week before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

Specific incident

One specific incident in 1998 involved Dugger's shift commander at the time, Alan Parks. Dugger had been in self-defense classes with Parks when the two were in training.

One night in October, while the two were working together, Parks said he grabbed Dugger in a "great big bear hug."

He said she left the room and came back when he sprayed her with air freshener and she countered by spraying him with bug spray.

Although Parks admitted he squeezed Dugger too tightly, he described a scene in which the two were just having fun.

Dugger had a different view. She said Parks struck her in the stomach, followed by a "body-lock" from which she had to break free.

Dugger claims she and a woman co-worker were called obscene names by Parks and another shift commander.

Heaton said he reprimanded the employees for their language.

Dugger represented herself, and the county was represented by Cape Girardeau attorney Albert Spradling III.

Asked by Dugger if she had treated him with respect, Heaton replied, "No. You tell lies on me."

According to testimony, the sheriff is the final authority at the jail. Heaton said he once sent Dugger home because he felt she was dressed "inappropriately for that facility or for anywhere."

Dugger asked Heaton if he remembered her asking him to put out a cigarette when he was at the jail.

"Ma'am, if you ever asked me to put a cigarette out, I'd have sent you home," Heaton said.

"Even in a non-smoking area?" Dugger asked.

"I don't care if it's a non-smoking area," Heaton said. "If I want to light a cigarette in my facility, I'll do it."

The judge took arguments from both sides under submission and said she'd rule at a later time.

355-6611, extension 160