Longhorn v. Oregon Department of Corrections

Ashley Longhorn (plaintiff) worked as a corrections officer for the Oregon Department of Corrections (department) (defendant) at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI). Fellow officer Matthew Klimek sexually assaulted Longhorn. Klimek then began stalking Longhorn at work, watching her, leaving gifts, and calling and messaging daily. Longhorn reported both the assault and the stalking to EOCI’s assistant superintendents. EOCI forwarded Longhorn’s complaint to the police department for investigation and placed Klimek on paid administrative leave. Rumors about Longhorn started circulating at EOCI, suggesting that Longhorn’s allegations were false and that she had slept with Klimek for career advancement, was sleeping with other officers, and was part of a sex ring. The rumors were never made directly to Longhorn, but she heard about them daily from friendly coworkers. Longhorn lost the respect of many coworkers, several of whom stopped speaking to her, and the respect of prisoners, some of whom refused to obey Longhorn’s orders. Longhorn intermittently took leave from work because of anxiety and panic attacks. She eventually complained about the false rumors to the superintendent. However, human resources opted not to investigate because of the ongoing criminal investigation. Longhorn requested a transfer to the night shift to avoid coworkers. In March 2021, the charges against Klimek were dismissed. Longhorn feared that Klimek might return to EOCI. Also, she was continuing to suffer harassment and had no more available leave. Longhorn resigned in May 2021. She subsequently sued the department, asserting hostile-work-environment, constructive-discharge, and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII). The department moved for summary judgment.