By SHANNON PRATHER
Pioneer Press (Minnesota)
A third female firefighter is suing the Minneapolis Fire Department, alleging that she faced retaliation after rejecting Fire Chief Bonnie Bleskachek’s unwanted sexual advances.
In a whistleblower suit filed Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court, Capt. Kristina Lemon accuses the department, the city and the chief of employment discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation. Lemon is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
Hers is the third suit alleging that Bleskachek’s romantic life, which included dating members of her staff, interfered with the department’s operations. Bleskachek, 42, is on paid leave pending an internal investigation.
“For lesbian firefighters in the Fire Department, the city and the department’s decisions regarding promotion and advancement in employment is dependent upon the woman’s participation in, or perceived openness to participation in, inappropriate personal and sexual relationships rather than on merit and performance,” according to the lawsuit.
Attorneys for Lemon, Bleskachek and the city declined to comment Wednesday.
Lemon met Bleskachek in 1996, when Bleskachek was Lemon’s supervising captain. Bleskachek told Lemon she had “sexual dreams” about her, according to the lawsuit. Bleskachek was openly dating another member of the department, Capt. Jennifer Cornell, at the time, according to the suit.
Lemon said she rejected Bleskachek’s repeated advances, which culminated months later when Bleskachek summoned Lemon to her home. Cornell showed up during the meeting and argued with Bleskachek, according to the suit.
Lemon said she also faced discrimination and unwarranted discipline because she refused to join the Minnesota Women’s Firefighters Association, a group co-founded by Bleskachek. Lemon accused the chief of making false statements about her.
In March, Cornell and Capt. Kathleen Mullen filed separate suits in U.S. District Court alleging that Bleskachek thwarted their career advancement when she threw out test scores meant for hiring new battalion chiefs.
Mullen and Cornell said they were the top scorers and contend Bleskachek tossed the scores because the chief’s current girlfriend, also a fire captain, failed the test.
Cornell and Bleskachek were domestic partners from 1996 to 2001 and share two children through adoption. Cornell’s suit includes allegations that Bleskachek abused her on 10 occasions, which resulted in a black eye, bruising and head injuries.