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EEOC sues Shelby County trucking company, alleging sexual harassment

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March 27th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

PANAMA, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing an Iowa trucking company accused of allowing a female worker to be sexually harassed and firing her for complaining. The commission claimed in a lawsuit filed Thursday that Panama Transfer violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Panama Transfer is based in Panama, 100 miles west of Des Moines. The family-owned company operates and maintains truck terminals in several states. The lawsuit claims a female worker at its Wellman, Iowa terminal was sexually harassed by a male supervisor who made sexual innuendos in private and over the workplace intercom. It says she was fired in May 2012 after she complained.

Company President Dean Kloewer said Thursday the allegations are false and the company’s lawyers will fight them. The commission is seeking damages.