Computer Search That Found Nude Photos Could Be Job Retaliation

An Alabama police chief may have retaliated against a female employee who complained about sex bias by ordering a forensic analysis of her computer that uncovered nude photos of her and others and evidence she worked another job on city time, the Eleventh Circuit ruled.

The analysis, which led to the employee’s dismissal, was requested by City of Pelham police chief Larry Palmer about a week after he learned that Jennifer Smith filed a complaint against him with human resources. The complaint concerned the denial of her request to use certain time off, the court said in an unpublished ruling. ...