All Galveston County Constable wanted was a little motorboat!
The lawsuit reads like the script for a sexual harassment in the workplace video, but a former Texas deputy said the unwanted sexual advances from his female constable went too far.
Galveston County Constable Pam Matranga made lewd and suggestive advances to Deputy James Gist, including forcing his head into her breasts on two occasions, according to his complaint.
“She lifted her blouse and pulled it down over Plaintiff’s head. She pressed her breasts against the head of Plaintiff,” said the lawsuit, which was filed in District Court in Galveston County earlier this month and posted on Houston Press.
The suit details an alleged history of lewd behavior Gist said he suffered in the workplace
Matranga declined to discuss the allegations levied against her in the lawsuit.
“Unfortunately Mr. Gist is allowed to say and do whatever he wants and I stand by a higher standard,” she told ABCNews.com, adding that she was not allowed to make any further comments.
Asked if she liked to joke around in the office, Matranga said, “Yes.”
Fed up with his boss, who he claims once said she wanted to perform at “chunky chicks night” at a local strip club and then gyrated in his face, Gist decided to take action. The deputy set up a recording device on his desk.
On Oct. 26, 2011, Gist said he was once again forced under Matranga’s shirt and pushed into her breasts, an act called “motorboating” that joined the cultural lexicon following a famous tirade by Vince Vaughn’s character in the movie “Wedding Crashers.”
Gist said he yelled at her to stop while the device may have picked up the incident on his desk, according to the court documents.
Matranga found out about the device and filed a complaint with the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office. Gist alleged the constable, who said she has a “clean” record in her 19 years of service, deleted evidence on the recorder.
Five days later, Gist was suspended and ultimately resigned from as a deputy.
The Galveston County District Attorney’s office is reviewing Matranga’s complaint against Gist allegedly bugging the office to determine if it “warrants criminal charges,” said Kevin Petroff, assistant district attorney.
Gist also filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was unable to be reached for comment.
The two-term constable faces competition for her job in the May 29 Republican primary.
ALYSSA NEWCOMB | Good Morning America
